Piastri reveals McLaren expectations for Australian GP

Oscar Piastri has spoken out about McLaren’s chances of clinching a podium at the Australian Grand Prix.

Piastri enters his home event having scored a fourth-place result in Saudi Arabia two weeks ago.

McLaren’s strong season-ending form from 2023 has carried over to the new campaign after it scored nine podiums last year.

The Woking-based squad has not secured a podium around the Albert Park Circuit since the 2014 event when Kevin Magnussen and Jenson Button classified in second and third respectively.

Last year at his debut in Melbourne, Piastri scored points amid a chaotic end to the race.

When asked if he could upgrade to a podium on his second trip to the event, Piastri told media including RacingNews365: “That took some good fortune.

“So I need some more for this year to get on the podium, I think.”

McLaren currently sits third in the Constructors’ Championship behind runaway leaders Red Bull, who scored a duo of 1-2 results at the opening two rounds.

Ferrari’s two third-place finishes to open the campaign have lifted it to third place, with Piastri affirming that McLaren’s fight is currently for the third-fastest car in the pecking order.

“I think being realistic, yes, being in the fight for the third quickest team is probably where we're at at the moment,” he said.

“I think we were a step closer to being close to Ferrari, at least anyway in Saudi.

“We don't quite have enough at the moment. So I think probably the fight is with Mercedes at the moment for us.

“Hopefully we can start challenging a bit more later in the year, but for now, I think as much as I don't want to put people's hopes down at home, I think any more than P5 is going to require some good fortune.”