Despite that run of success, Piastri dismissed any notions of a “Red Bull-style cycle of dominance” ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Oscar Piastri is quietly confident he can become the first Aussie driver to win the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix. “We’ll be good from the start of this year,” the McLaren driver said as he prepared for the season-opening F1 weekend.

Charles Leclerc set the pace for Ferrari in the second practice session ahead of the Australian Grand Prix. The McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris slotted in closely behind for an ultra-competitive top three, a scene which Lewis Hamilton was unable to muscle his way into in the sister Ferrari.