F1 driver disappoints fans with slide off Australian Grand Prix racetrack

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Melbourne, AUSTRALIA – A rain-affected Albert Park circuit provided tricky situations for the 20 Formula 1 drivers starting the 2025 season at the Australian Grand Prix.

Local Melbournian Oscar Piastri was set to become the first Australian driver to raise silverware at Albert Park since its reopening in 1985.

But the Australian ‘curse’ saw him tumble down the standings from second to 15th in a matter of seconds during the March 16 race.

The weekend was looking positive for Piastri. A superb qualifying session saw him soar to preliminary pole position, before his teammate Lando Norris quickly topped the time sheets.

The McLaren front row lockout set electrifying emotions around Australia as the country cheered on the 23-year-old.

“Pretty happy. It’s obviously great to start the year on the front row – only one position back from what I would’ve liked,” Piastri told sky sports in a post-qualifying interview.  

Piastri was on track for a second place finish, and possibly a win as he trailed Norris’ lead during the race.

However, the infamous ‘Australian curse’ seemed to strike once again.

The curse affected Australian drivers Mark Webber and Daniel Ricciardo during their Formula 1 tenure. Neither driver finished on the podium in their home Grand Prix.

Ricciardo’s long-awaited second place podium finish in 2014 sent Australia into a frenzy, believing the curse to be ‘broken.’ But upon further investigation by stewards, it was noted that Ricciardo’s car had exceeded the maximum allowed fuel flow, causing his disqualification from the race, and the stripping of his podium finish.

This time, Piastri fell victim to the curse as he was caught on the slippery painted lines, where his car moved off the racing line. It sent the Australian into gravel at turn 13 before momentum pulled Piastri off the track and beached him in flooded grass.

Essentially helpless, Piastri slowly but surely maneuvered his car into a regulated run off area where he rejoined the race and slotted into 15th, in front of Oliver Bearman.

Determined to make up places, Piastri pushed his McLaren to the limit. An incredibly tight overtake on seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton finalized the Melbournian’s position in the race, a respectable ninth in what was his third Australian Grand Prix.

While Piastri suffered his race outcome, his teammate Lando Norris claimed victory for the first time in Australia. Norris was trailed by reigning World Champion Max Verstappen and fellow Brit George Russell.

In his post-race interview on sky sports, Piastri thanked the fans in Australia who had “given [him] so much good energy and support over the last few days.”  

Piastri wasn’t the only Australian driver who suffered on-track drama.

Alpine driver and rookie Jack Doohan had his home race debut cut short following a crash in the first lap.

Doohan’s seat in Formula 1 has been under speculation since the signing of reserve driver Franco Colapinto. Speculation is that if Doohan’s performances are not satisfactory for executive advisor Flavio Briatore, Alpine is willing to sign Colapinto as a full-time driver following his remarkable performances with Williams Racing in 2024.

The Queenslander claimed in a sky sports interview that his crash was “a tough way to learn,” and yet, he was feeling positive about the upcoming race in Shanghai.

“We will regroup as a team and aim to come back even stronger there,” Doohan said.

Following the nail-biting 2024 season where McLaren rightfully earned the title of World Constructor Champions, there’s no doubt that 2025 will be just as thrilling.

The dynamic between Piastri and Norris alone is a reason to watch as the season progresses and tension is heightened. 

Isla Giron is a Junior Reporter with Youth Journalism International.