Piastri explains ‘combination of bad factors’ behind shock pre-race crash in Australia

Oscar Piastri cut a dejected figure as he began to process his shock pre-race accident at the Australian Grand Prix – a moment he put down to “a combination of bad factors”.

Piastri, who had qualified fifth, was working through the reconnaissance laps at Melbourne’s Albert Park when he lost control of his McLaren machine at the exit of Turn 4 and slid helplessly into the concrete wall.

Significant car damage ruled Piastri out on the spot, meaning he had to make his way back to the paddock and watch Sunday’s action from the sidelines.

“We need to review fully what happened,” said Piastri as he toured the media pen and opened up on the incident. “I think using… I got on the kerb a little bit...

“From what we’ve seen as well, I think everything kind of reacted the way it should within the rules, but essentially I had 100 kW more power than I’ve had the whole weekend, at the point that I shifted.

“When I shifted, it went into wheelspin, and given that I was on the kerb already, it was a combination of bad factors… Obviously it’s just very disappointing.”

Asked how much it hurt him not to be able to race in front of his home crowd, Piastri added: “A lot. It’s a shame. Things like that shouldn’t be happening anywhere, especially at my home race. It’s obviously even more disappointing.”

It meant Piastri’s team mate, Lando Norris, was the sole McLaren to take the start – the reigning World Champion going on to finish fifth behind Mercedes pair George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, and the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.