Oscar Piastri prepares for his Australian F1® debut

The FORMULA 1 ROLEX AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2023 will feature five Australian driver debuts, headlined by Melbourne’s own Oscar Piastri racing for the McLaren Formula 1® team in the main event.

After winning the 2021 Formula 2® Championship to become only the third driver to win the F2® and F3® Championships in consecutive seasons, Piastri is now two races in to his Formula 1® career.

“The step up is pretty big in all aspects. Firstly, the car has a lot more power and a lot more downforce. Weight wise it’s about the same but the way the car generates the downforce with these new regs with the ground effects cars, means that there are a few interesting features that comes with that,” said Piastri.

The 21-year-old started his career at the Oakleigh Go Karting Racing Club in Victoria and since then he’s gone from strength to strength – with Formula 1® being the childhood dream.

TICKETS: Watch two F1® practice sessions, plus F2® and F3® qualifying on Friday at the FORMULA 1 ROLEX AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2023. Secure your Grandstand tickets for only $105, but be quick, as they are selling fast!

“It probably hasn’t sunk in yet, Formula One is something I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid.

“To be able to fulfill that dream now and be able to call it a job, I’m really looking forward to that and driving race cars again. There wasn’t a lot of driving in 2022, so I’m looking forward to getting stuck into it,” said Piastri.

Piastri returned home over the Christmas holidays with his partner, Lily. The pair visited the Mornington Peninsula, getting up close and personal with native animals at the Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park before exploring the vineyards at Barmah Park Restaurant and Cellar Door.

“I left home pretty young, so even for me, seeing some of the sights for the first time was cool.

“It’s a wonderful part of the world and I really enjoy coming back here when I can, and to share it all with Lily as well is very special.”

The FORMULA 1 ROLEX AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2023 is the first race of the F1® season to feature F1®, F2® and F3® - with local drivers representing Australia across all categories.

Jack Doohan has returned to F2® for another season with Virtuosi Racing, while Christian Mansell, Tommy Smith, and Hugh Barter are on the F3® grid.

That’s on top of a huge homegrown line-up that features Supercars and the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Championship.

Now is your chance to LIVE FAST at the FORMULA 1 ROLEX AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2023, with Thursday and Friday Park Passes (general admission) still available.