Piastri opens up on Melbourne heartbreak after costly error

Oscar Piastri has accepted fault for a late-race off that curtailed his bid for a first victory on home shores at the Australian Grand Prix.

The McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Piastri dominated for much of the F1 season-opener before a heavy rain shower on Lap 44 of 57 changed the picture dramatically.

Cited as being up to intensity three – moderate rain – drivers were met by full wet conditions as they entered the final sector. Although both Norris and Piastri slid into the gravel at Turn 12, the latter went deeper and was unable to return to the track in time to fully slow for Turn 13, resulting in a slide into the grass.

Recovering from this briefly put the Australian a lap down before Max Verstappen – who had assumed the lead – pitted for intermediate tyres.

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Speaking after recovering to finish ninth, Piastri conceded: “I’ve felt better. I’m just disappointed, obviously. I honestly don’t know what to say, really.

“Obviously, a mistake from myself but I think for it to have the consequences that it did were a little bit unfortunate.

“I’ve only got myself to blame. I tried to push too much in those conditions. But the other 56 and three-quarter laps were very strong.

“I’m obviously very disappointed, but I think there are a lot of positives to take.”

‘I’ve only got myself to blame’ – Piastri devastated after slipping out of contention for victory in Melbourne

In the laps prior to his off, Piastri had been steadily closing the gap to team mate Norris and even after McLaren issued a reminder on the rules of engagement, it appeared as though he was building to make a pass for the lead.

Asked if this turn of pace is a crumb of comfort that he can carry into China next week, Piastri added: “Yeah, definitely. At the moment, it doesn’t really feel like that but I would rather feel that I drove the race where I felt I could have put myself on the top step than struggling around and finishing on the podium.

“At the moment, it hurts, but there are genuinely a lot of positives to take.”