- One of the two Australians competing in Aussie GP
- Seeking to break long -term Australians
- The day in the best possible way has begun
The hero of the hometown, Oscar Piastri, has blocked the third and final practice of the Formula Uno Australian.
After being the second fastest in P2 on Friday, the recently reagged McLaren Ace produced the faster time on Saturday before qualifying in Albert Park in Melbourne.
Piastri imposed on the star of Mercedes George Russell and four times Max Verstappen defender champion in a session in which the temperature reached 35 degrees.
The 23 -year -old aims to become the first Australian pilot to stand on the Albert Park circuit podium, much less win the race.
Alan Jones was the most recent local winner of the Australian GP, in 1980 in Calder Park Raceway, before the race joined the calendar of the F1 World Championship in 1985.
After two practice sessions on Friday, Piastri admitted that he was “encouraged” with the rhythm of his McLaren and not only aimed to stand on the podium in Sunday's race.
Oscar Piastri shows a lot of rhythm for McLaren before the Saturday classification session
The Australian hopes to become the first place to claim victory in the Melbourne Grand Prix
Piastri's teammate, Lando Norris, was the fastest tenth in P3.
It was another nightmare session for Haas Oliver Bearman's rookie, who could not register a time back after deviating to the gravel.
The highly qualified teenager, who made his debut in the F1 as a reserve driver with Ferrari last year, also made the first practice become red on Friday after making a mistake and Haas could not repair his car for P2.
The qualification will begin at 4pm from the local time.