Oscar Piastri’s aspirations to become the first Australian in 45 years to win his home Grand Prix remain alive after a promising opening day at the Australian Grand Prix.
As the sun shone down on Albert Park, McLaren and Ferrari emerged as the frontrunners in both practice sessions. Lando Norris of McLaren clocked the fastest time in the first session, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took the lead in practice two. Piastri finished strong, securing the second-fastest time in the latter session, showcasing his competitive edge.
The last Australian to claim victory at this iconic race was Alan Jones in 1980, long before it became part of the Formula 1 calendar. Piastri’s performance has ignited hopes among fans that he could break this long-standing drought.
However, it was a disappointing day for English rookie Oliver Bearman. The Haas driver crashed early in the first session, rendering his car irreparable before the second practice. After finishing seventh in the constructors’ championship last year, Haas was looking to solidify its midfield position this season, but Bearman’s misfortune has set back their preparations. With limited time on the track, the team will rely on the final practice session on Saturday to fine-tune their setup for qualifying.
In a surprising twist, reigning champion Max Verstappen’s assertion that Red Bull wouldn’t dominate this weekend appears to hold true, adding an intriguing layer to the unfolding narrative in Melbourne. As the teams prepare for the next round, all eyes will be on Piastri as he aims to make history on home soil.
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