By Dillon Shelley
OSCAR Piastri, who has family ties to Shepparton, is set to rev up the track at the 2024 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix. After an impressive rookie season, Piastri is gearing up for his second season with McLaren. The young driver, who scored his first F1 points at Albert Park last year, is eagerly anticipating what he calls “a very special event”.
“It was a pretty crazy race last year but to score my first-ever F1 points in front of a home crowd will stay with me for a long time,” Piastri said.
“It is such a special event for me. Not only is it my home country but to have grown up so close to the track and coming back to my hometown is awesome.”
Joining Piastri on the grid is Daniel Ricciardo, marking the first time since 2013 that two Aussie drivers will compete in the F1. Ricciardo is making a much-awaited return to a full-time seat, racing for Visa Cash App Racing Bulls.
The Grand Prix will also see the return of Formula 2 and Formula 3, featuring Australian F3 drivers Christian Mansell and Tommy Smith. The event promises four non-stop days of thrilling on-track entertainment, with the headline race, the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, set to light up the track at 3pm on Sunday.
