All of Australia is behind Piastri: "I will do everything I can to reach the top step"

We're in the final seconds of Q3, at the very end of qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix, when suddenly the sound level meter goes crazy. The spectators are cheering, Melbourne is shaking with joy: Oscar piastri has just set the best time of the session and provisionally places his McLaren on pole position in Melbourne. Will he secure his first career pole position, and the first for an Australian on home soil?

Alas, no. A few seconds later, Lando Norris comes to "spoil" the party by beating his teammate by only 84 thousandths of a second! Oscar Piastri has to settle for second place, but that doesn't matter: what matters is the race on Sunday, and this narrow defeat for pole position did not dampen the Australian crowd, who came out in force this Saturday (breaking a record attendance for a Saturday, in the process).

A public won over to his cause

The Australian fans at Albert Park are not mistaken: this weekend, there is a very strong chance that one of their own will climb onto the podium at the Australian Grand Prix, something unheard of since the first edition was held in Adelaide in 1985. Or even better: a victory seems within reach of Oscar Piastri, who will start his home race 2nd on Sunday. This hope is justified, as the McLaren seems above the rest against the competition, powerless in the flying lap exercise.

The hundreds of thousands of spectators in Melbourne this weekend are dreaming of an Australian victory and the singing of "Advance Australia Fair," the national anthem of the country of 27 million people. Such a strong expectation doesn't affect Oscar Piastri. Always very calm in his demeanor, the Aussie doesn't get carried away by the cheers of the local crowd. At home, in his native city, the McLaren driver is calm, calm, and serene.

“I have never been so relaxed for a home race, assured Oscar Piastri at a press conference, after the qualifications. The first two years, especially the first year I came here, it was an overwhelming experience. Even last year, it was still very intense. This year, I can enjoy it more. Maybe because I'm more confident in the car I have in my hands, but I'm really enjoying it and appreciating the support. I feel like that support has increased compared to last year. It's amazing what happens when you start winning. It's great to have all that support at home and I really appreciate it.

Piastri faces his destiny

Far from frustrated after coming so close to a first career pole position – " I wouldn't say I'm disappointed because I feel like I've done a job that I'm happy with.", he said at a press conference - Oscar Piastri doesn't want to put pressure on himself to win. While he has an excellent starting position on the front row alongside his teammate, and even though he's free to fight against Lando Norris, he'll certainly have to contend with the rain and the elements to claim that first podium on home soil, or even better, victory.

“I’m not setting myself too many goals, obviously. We have a lot of work to do for tomorrow’s race and we’ll see what the weather has in store for us first. But it would be very special, confided the local hero. I don't know how to answer, but it would mean a lot. Having an Australian on the podium (…) it would be a good start. If I can get on the top step, I will do everything I can to achieve that. I will try to do my best, obviously. (…) As for the [popular] pressure, honestly, I said before the start that I was using it as support and not as pressure, and that's really what happened. The curse of Australian drivers at home Will it end this Sunday? Answer in less than 24 hours.

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