Oscar Piastri was inconsolable after throwing away a podium at the Australian Grand Prix with an unforced error while chasing Lando Norris for the race lead.
McLaren appear to have the dominant package at the start of the 2025 season, and an exciting driver pairing in Piastri and Norris both capable of race wins.
The duo locked out the front row in Melbourne after an impressive Qualifying performance. Max Verstappen's Red Bull managed P3, albeit over three tenths behind Norris and Piastri in first and second respectively.
Piastri lost P2 to Verstappen on the opening lap, then regained it after the latter made an uncharacteristic error on lap 17 of the 57-lap event.
He was nipping at the heels of Norris until an unfortunate spin at the final sector on lap 44 ended his charge for the lead of the Grand Prix. P9 at the chequered flag was all he could muster.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after his home race, Piastri admitted that the disappointing result was completely his own fault.
"Pretty disappointing. It felt like for every lap, apart from one, I drove an incredibly strong race, just a shame to not have the result to go with it," he said.
"I don't have anyone to blame but myself. I was a bit unfortunate to get stuck [in the grass] the way I did. It was only myself that put me there. Obviously disappointed."
Despite the immense distress, Piastri saw some positives from a weekend which cemented McLaren's standing as the team for the rest to beat.
"For me, the big positive is the other 56 laps of the race. It felt like I had strong pace in all conditions. That's what I will try to take away.
"Lando made the right decision and even with myself, given I was trying to reverse for about a minute, we still made the right decision. Just a shame to not have a better result."
With the Chinese Grand Prix around the Shanghai International Circuit only a few days away, Piastri will likely have another chance to fight for victory against his McLaren teammate.
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