Oscar Piastri makes history in qualifying for Japanese Grand Prix

Aussie rookie Oscar Piastri has claimed a slice of F1 history, impressing in qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix and beating his teammate.

Matthew Sullivan

2 min read

September 23, 2023 - 6:39PM

Oscar Piastri qualified second fastest for the Japanese Grand Prix behind Max Verstappen. (Photo by Peter PARKS / AFP)

Oscar Piastri will become just the fifth Australian to start a Formula One race from the front row of the grid after an impressive performance in qualifying at the Japanese Grand Prix.

McLaren continued their impressive form from last weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix at the Suzuka circuit, as Piastri qualified second fastest ahead of teammate Lando Norris, who was third quickest.

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While happy with the result, Piastri was slightly disappointed not to have nailed a perfect lap.

“Well done everybody, thank you,” he said on team radio.

“The first lap was pretty good. The second one, nailed the tricky stuff and f***ed up the less tricky stuff. So thank you, good starting spot for tomorrow. Let’s have some fun!”

It’s the first time Piastri has out-qualified Norris this season and the surest indication yet that the 22-year-old rookie is the real deal.

Piastri joins Daniel Ricciardo, Mark Webber, Alan Jones and Jack Brabham as the only Australian drivers to start an F1 Grand Prix from the front row of the grid.

He also becomes the first rookie driver to put his car on the front row since Nico Hulkenberg in Brazil in 2010.

Oscar Piastri qualified second fastest behind Max Verstappen and ahead of teammate Lando Norris. (Photo by Peter PARKS / AFP)

As he continues to notch up milestones in his debut season, Piastri will be hoping to claim his maiden podium finish in Japan on Sunday afternoon.

It comes just days after McLaren announced Piastri had signed a new deal to stay at the team until the end of the 2026 season.

The multi-year extension is a huge endorsement in the youngster who is seen as a future world champion.

OSCAR PIASTRI IS STARTING ON THE FRONT ROW OF THE #JAPANESEGP
— F1 Australian Grand Prix (@ausgrandprix) September 23, 2023

OSCAR PIASTRI ON THE FRONT ROW OF THE GRID!!! GO ONNNNN!!!!!!
— Matt Gallagher (@MattP1Gallagher) September 23, 2023

Just a reminder Oscar Piastri is a rookie

and has never driven around Suzuka
— AldasðŸ‡±ðŸ‡¹ (@Aldas001) September 23, 2023

Meanwhile, Max Verstappen claimed pole position with a scintillating final lap in qualifying to be half a second faster than Piastri.

Verstappen finished fifth in Singapore but after looking unstoppable in qualifying, it will take something special to prevent him from claiming his 13th win of the season.

The Japanese Grand Prix begins on Sunday at 3pm AEST.