Australian racing star Oscar Piastri has bolstered his position in the Formula 1 drivers’ championship with a remarkable win at the Miami Grand Prix. This victory marks his third consecutive triumph, a significant milestone for McLaren as it’s the first time in 28 years that a driver from the team has achieved three back-to-back wins. Piastri’s accomplishment also makes him the first Australian to secure three consecutive race victories since Alan Jones in the early 1980s.
Starting the race from fourth place, Piastri quickly made his way to second within the opening laps, before overtaking Max Verstappen on the 14th lap to seize the lead. By the 18th lap, he had pulled ahead by an impressive eight seconds, eventually crossing the finish line ahead of his teammate Lando Norris and George Russell, with Verstappen finishing in fourth.
Reflecting on his win, Piastri expressed his satisfaction, stating, “I won the race that I really wanted to,” while highlighting the challenges faced during qualifying, which he deemed one of his toughest sessions of the year. He acknowledged some luck during the race, noting a chaotic first turn where he managed to avoid a collision with Verstappen. Piastri praised his car’s performance, stating, “The car was unbelievable today,” while also emphasising the importance of continual improvement and learning throughout the season, concluding with, “Very happy to be leaving Miami on top.”
Piastri’s teammate, Lando Norris, who had started in second place, experienced a difficult race after losing positions early on due to a track mishap involving Verstappen that he felt forced him off course. Norris lamented on team radio about the incident, questioning what was expected of him in that situation.
In other news, fellow Australian driver Jack Doohan faced a disappointing start to his race, crashing out within moments due to a punctured tyre resulting from a collision with Liam Lawson. Lawson managed to continue racing, but Doohan’s day ended abruptly, leaving him frustrated and perplexed about the incident.
Piastri’s success in Miami not only extends his lead in the championship but also sets a new precedent for McLaren and highlights the rising talent of Australian drivers in Formula 1.