PIASTRI CRASHES ON TRACK BEFORE MELBOURNE GP START

MELBOURNE, March 8 (Bernama-dpa) — Local hero Oscar Piastri suffered a setback even before the Formula 1 season opener in his hometown of Melbourne on Sunday, reported German Press Agency (dpa).

Piastri, who finished third in last season’s drivers' standings, hit the kerb coming out of turn four on his way to the starting grid, lost control of his McLaren and crashed into the track barrier. His car had to be removed from the track. 

The Australian driver was meant to start from fifth position. Red Bull star Max Verstappen experienced a similar accident in qualifying.

“Oscar collided with the wall on the way to the grid. He’s okay,” McLaren said.

This meant that even before the start of the opening race in Australia, the home Grand Prix was over for Piastri, who was able to get out of his damaged car without help.

"From what we’ve seen, I think everything reacted as it should within the rules, but essentially I had 100 kW more power than I’ve had all weekend at the point I shifted," Piastri said.

"When I shifted, it went into wheelspin, and given that I was on the kerb already, it was a combination of bad factors… Obviously it’s just very disappointing."

Australian fans' wait for the first podium finish by a compatriot at the home event will continue until at least next season.

"It’s a shame. Things like that shouldn’t be happening anywhere, especially at my home race. It’s obviously even more disappointing," Piastri said.

McLaren boss Zak Brown said the team has not found anything yet to indicate what went wrong.

— BERNAMA-DPA