- One of two Aussies competing at Aussie GP
- Looking to break long-running Aussie hoodoo
- Has started the day in the best possible way
Hometown hero Oscar Piastri has blitzed the third and final practice of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix.
After going second-fastest in P2 on Friday, the newly re-signed McLaren ace produced the quickest time on Saturday ahead of qualifying at Albert Park in Melbourne.
Piastri pipped Mercedes star George Russell and four-time defending champion Max Verstappen in a session when the temperature reached 35 degrees.
The 23-year-old is aiming to become the first Australian driver to stand on the Albert Park circuit podium, let alone win the race.
Alan Jones was the most recent local winner of the Australian GP, back in 1980 at Calder Park Raceway, before the race joined the F1 world championship calendar in 1985.
After two practice sessions on Friday, Piastri admitted he was “encouraged” with the pace of his McLaren and was not just aiming to stand on the podium in Sunday’s race.
Oscar Piastri is showing plenty of pace for McLaren ahead of Saturday qualifying session
The Aussie is hoping to become the first local to claim victory at the Melbourne Grand Prix
Piastri’s teammate Lando Norris was 10th-fastest in P3.
It was another nightmare session for Haas rookie Oliver Bearman, who failed to record a lap time after veering off into the gravel.
The highly-rated teenager, who made his F1 debut as a reserve driver with Ferrari last year, also caused the first practice to be red-flagged on Friday after making an error and Haas was unable to repair his car for P2.
Qualifying will get underway at 4pm local time.
