Oscar Piastri is on the brink of making history as he aims to become the first Australian to secure a podium finish at the Australian Grand Prix during the 2025 season. Starting today from second on the grid, Piastri matched the best-ever starting position for an Australian driver at home, previously achieved by Daniel Ricciardo and Mark Webber.
During the thrilling qualifying session held yesterday, Piastri was just 0.084 seconds shy of pole position, claimed by Lando Norris. This sharp margin recalls the excitement of 2014 when Ricciardo sent the home crowd ecstatic by taking his first pole position, though he was later disqualified for violating fuel flow regulations.
Despite no Australian driver having achieved a podium finish since the Formula 1 Grand Prix moved to Adelaide streets back in 1985, Piastri carries the hope of his nation as the 2025 Australian Grand Prix is predicted to be the first fully wet race at Albert Park. The conditions are fraught with challenge, with more rain showers expected throughout the day.
"It would be really special to achieve," Piastri said, acknowledging the monumental task before him. He continued, "I’m not setting my aims too firmly on winning. We have to maximize the race and see how the weather plays out first, but it would be incredibly special to succeed at home." Piastri also expressed uncertainty about how the new wet conditions would affect his and his competitors' driving, remarking about the changes since they last raced under similar circumstances.
The grid for today's GP sees notable drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton starting from seventh and eighth positions, respectively. Hamilton's father, Anthony, shared his excitement about Lewis's new role at Ferrari, stating, "It feels like the first day in Formula 1 for us. The most important thing is – he’s super happy, and we’re super happy."
Adding to the tension, the race start has been delayed due to rookie Isack Hadjar spinning out during the formation lap. This chaotic moment highlights the treachery of wet conditions, described by Red Bull principal Christian Horner as 'like soap on the asphalt'. He warned, too, of the dangerous low-grip surface of the track, echoes of which remain fresh following the treacherous races of the past.
The atmosphere at Albert Park is electric, with fans eager to witness potential history. Piastri’s managers and supporters are optimistic, as they recall the near-misses of past drivers like Webber and Ricciardo. Both men have finished fourth on several occasions but have never quite reached the podium at home. Webber's experiences, including his clash with Hamilton and mechanical downtimes, are also part of the lore, giving fans shared stories of struggle and resilience.
Only the last Australian victor of the Australian GP remains as a distant memory, Alan Jones, who won the race back when it was held as a non-championship affair back in 1980. Now, all eyes are fixed on Piastri, with predictions and forecasts swirling about how the Australian will handle the pressures of driving on home soil.
The race is officially set to start at 15:00 AEDT, but it has been adjusted to 3:15 PM due to Hadjar’s incident. The event will also be one lap shorter, totaling 57 laps. The chance of rain rests at 72% until evening, hinting at more drama yet to come.
The stakes are high for all competitors, but especially for Piastri, who aims to seize his moment amid turbulent weather and fierce competition. Fans at Albert Park are on the edge of their seats, caught between hope and anxiety, as the sun sets over Melbourne, heralding what could be an unforgettable chapter for Australian F1.