Teams rally behind F1 Aussies

Pierre Gasly and McLaren team leaders have rallied behind their respective Aussies Jack Doohan and Oscar Piastri after their home races meet cruel ends.

With support of a record Melbourne crowd Doohan and Piastri showed plenty of promise during the 2025 Australian Grand Prix.

Doohan was able to beat his more experienced teammate Gasly in both of the first two practice sessions before securing a Q2 berth.

READ MORE F1 NEWS IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF AUTO ACTION HERE

Unfortunately the Alpine rookie did not give himself much of a chance to progress from 14th on the grid, being one of many caught out by the wet conditions and crashed on the first lap coming out of Turn 5.

With a lot of pressure surrounding Doohan due to the presence of reserve driver Franco Colapinto, Galsy jumped to the defence of the young Aussie.

Jack’s been doing a very good job all weekend and it’s just a shame, it was probably throwing him in the deep end with these sorts of conditions,” Gasly said.

Jack Doohan pushing in the rain. Photo by Glenn Dunbar/LAT Images

“It was probably the toughest conditions on the first few laps, it just felt like we were struggling for grip.

“I’m confident he’ll come back next week and do the job he’s been doing very well.”

Piastri came closer than any other Australian to winning his home race.

He reeled in leader Lando Norris, only for one small mistake at Turn 12 to prove extremely costly.

Despite the timing tower suggesting he was out, the Brighton boy channelled his drive from Jeremy Clarkson’s farm to reverse out of the slippery infield and rejoin.

This saw the #81 fall to 16th, but he put in an inspired comeback to salvage points with ninth after a breathtaking move on Lewis Hamilton.

Whilst Piastri was devastated, knowing a possible win or at the very least a first a home podium disappeared, both Andrea Stella and Zak Brown supported him.

“I think Oscar was deserving to be in contention for the victory until the last moment. He drove exceptionally well,” he said.

“I was extremely impressed and he was just a little unlucky.

“He is starting his third season but he looks like one of the most expert drivers that I have worked with.”

That is high praise from someone who has engineered world champions Michael Schumacher, Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso.

“I feel terrible for Oscar. He drove such a brilliant race and they both came up on that rain at the same time,” Brown said.

“Lando was able to collect it up. For Oscar, a little bit more tricky, and he drove great to get back to P9 but [an] awesome team effort in an exciting race.”

Image: Peter Norton

READ THE LATEST ISSUE OF AUTO ACTION HERE

Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.