MOTORSPORT: Aussie Oscar Piastri wins his first Formula 1 GP

Oscar Piastri has joined Sir Jack Brabham, Alan Jones, Mark Webber and Daniel Ricciardo as a Formula 1 Grand Prix winner, with the 23-year-old Melburnian claiming victory in the Hungarian Grand Prix from the Hungaroring.

The success came in only his 35th career start as Piastri became the first driver born in the 21st century to win an F1 race.

Piastri’s win adds to his four previous podium finishes and his F1 Sprint victory from Qatar last year.

Also, in becoming the 115th Grand Prix winner since 1950, Piastri brought Australia’s all-time victory tally up to 44, which sees the country pass Italy for seventh on the all-time nation’s winners list.

Both Webber (2010) and Ricciardo (2014) have previously claimed victories in Hungary.

The race was far from straightforward, with McLaren issuing team orders that saw Lando Norris swap positions with Piastri after their places were inadvertently reversed during the last pit stop cycle.

The Brit complied with the request late, sealing the team’s 49th one-two result, and first since Ricciardo led Norris at Monza in 2021.

“[It’s] very, very special,” said Piastri.

“This is really the day I dreamed of as a kid, standing on the top step of an F1 podium.

“Obviously a bit complicated at the end but I put myself in the right position at the start, and thank you to the team for an amazing effort, and amazing car.

“It’s a hell of a lot of fun racing for McLaren, so I can’t thank them enough for giving me the opportunity to be in F1 and to be able to win together 18 months in is an incredible feeling.”

Qualifying witnessed the first McLaren front-row lockout since 2012, with the two Papaya cars subsequently racing hard into the first corner of the race, where Piastri gained the upper hand as Max Verstappen (Red Bull) ran wide and gained second position.

Ultimately, Piastri settled in the lead from Verstappen and Norris, although by lap four of 70, under the instruction of his team, Verstappen gave way to Norris and dropped to third.

On lap 46, Norris made his final pit stop to cover the advances of Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), which gave him the lead when Piastri pitted a lap later, although the McLaren squad instantly ordered Norris to drop to second position.

After stopping late, Verstappen was on the comeback trail, displacing Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) for fourth on lap 57. However, when diving past Hamilton for third on lap 63, he locked up and launched himself off the front wheel of the Mercedes.

Verstappen returned to the track in fifth place.

After laps of pleading from the McLaren pit wall, Norris finally slowed to allow Piastri past with three circuits remaining.

Behind Piastri and Norris at the chequered flag were Hamilton, Leclerc, Verstappen, Sainz, Sergio Perez (Red Bull), who crashed out heavily in the first leg of qualifying, and George Russell (Mercedes), another driver to work his way through from the rear of the field.

Yuki Tsunoda (RB), who also finished qualifying in the wall, and Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) completed the points finishers, with Ricciardo (RB) claiming 12th.

Piastri remains fifth in the driver standings, while his McLaren squad has slotted into second in the constructor’s title ahead of Ferrari, a sign of the changed pecking order following the 13th of 24 races scheduled for 2024.

The F1 season continues next weekend with the Belgium Grand Prix from Spa-Francorchamps.

2024 Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix results:

2024 Formula 1 championship standings:

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au