Piastri plays home win straight as hope grows for an Aussie first

Ahead of Oscar Piastri’s anticipated return to his home Grand Prix, the budding superstar can learn a lot from his fellow countryman, as he is tipped to do something no Aussie has ever done.

Once burnt, twice shy, Daniel Ricciardo is the permanent reminder why Oscar Piastri is right to stay grounded.

Already tipped to be a future world champion, Piastri has been feted by Melbourne’s motor racing faithful just like Tay Tay was greeted by her adoring Swifties.

Piastri was mobbed from the moment he arrived at Albert Park – wearing a Richmond AFL guernsey – signing autographs and posing for selfies with his fans before making it into the Formula One paddock.

An F2 and F3 world champion before he’d finished his teens, the hype around Piastri has only intensified since he made a spectacular start to his Formula One last season, winning a sprint race and twice finishing on the podium.

Oscar Piastri was a hit with the fans at Albert Park. Picture: AFP

His mature performances in the improving McLaren have raised hopes he can end the Australian curse at Albert Park and become the first home grown driver to make it to the post race ceremony.

But Piastri is having none of it, telling anyone who will listen not to expect too much.

“I don’t want to put people’s hopes down at home, but any more than P5 is going to require some good fortune,” he said.

Grand Prix drivers are a naturally superstitious breed who rarely count their chickens before they hatch so Piastri’s dismissal of his chances aren’t unusual, but they do have merit.

Two races into the new season, no-one looks any closer to challenging Red Bull’s domination after Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez went one-two in both races so far.

What advice will Daniel Ricciardo pass on to Oscar Piastri? Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Ferrari finished third each time while Piastri crossed the line for an encouraging fourth in Saudi Arabia after battling with Mercedes.

“I think, being realistic, being in the fight for the third quickest team is probably where we’re at the moment,” Piastri said.

“I think we were a step closer to Ferrari but we don’t quite have enough at the moment.

“I think probably the fight is with Mercedes at the moment for us but hopefully we can start challenging a bit more later in the year.”

If Piastri does make the podium in Melbourne, and the result stands, he will be the first Aussie to achieve the feat, though he knows only too well how Ricciardo almost did it in 2014.

Ricciardo even took part in the ceremony after crossing the finish line as the runner-up only to be later disqualified for breaching one of the complicated rules around fuel loads.

Daniel Ricciardo’s joy at finishing second at the 2014 Australian Grand Prix ended in tears when he was later disqualified. Picture: Michael Klein

“Obviously at the time, standing on the podium and all that, I thought I had it,” Ricciardo recalled.

“I stood on a home podium and the crowd all thought I had the podium at the time. I was happy to get a taste, but of course I’d love a moment to stick.

“Obviously it’s a dream for any driver to be on their home podium. That would be ideal and an amazing career moment for both of us.”

Just 13 at the time, Piastri watched that race on television from his Melbourne home, which is within walking distance of the Albert Park circuit.

Liam Lawson, Daniel Ricciardo and Oscar Piastri having a chat. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Neither he nor Ricciardo knew at the time but a decade later, they were sitting next to each other in front of the world’s press, pondering what it would mean to break the Australian drought.

“For any driver a home race is always good fun and a privilege,” Piastri said.

“But for me, it’s about 10-15 minutes away from where I grew up so it’s well and truly a home race.

“We’re both going to need some good fortune to end up on the podium. But it would be very, very special.”

If Piastri does need any positive reinforcement though, he need look no further than his British teammate Lando Norris.

Another young gun, Norris and Piastri have formed a close friendship since joining forces at McLaren with the Englishmen enjoying one of his career highlights last year when he finished runner-up at his home Grand Prix at Silverstone.

“He was already very tough competition last year but he’s actually improved this season,” Norris said of Piastri.

“It’s his second year and he just looks more comfortable so he’s going to push me and I’m going to push him.

“You always want a teammate that pushes you and when your teammate is a good mate, you can learn things from them too.”