Former Formula 1 champion Alan Jones has predicted that McLaren star Oscar Piastri could earn his first podium of the season at the Australian Grand Prix.
It’s been a positive start to the 2024 season for the 22-year-old after a stunning rookie campaign last year.
Speaking to the Herald Sun, Jones has spoken about how well the youngster has done since joining the grid.
Jones thinks Piastri could finish on the podium at Australian Grand Prix
Oscar Piastri’s Formula 1 career didn’t get off to the best start with McLaren struggling at the beginning of the 2023 season.
However, as soon as he was given a quick enough car, he showed that he was more than capable of racing some of the most experienced drivers on the grid.
In Bahrain, there were worries that McLaren had been left behind by some of their rivals over the winter.
Ferrari have definitely taken a step forward, but the race in Saudi Arabia showed that McLaren are more than ready to match Mercedes and Aston Martin.
Jones now thinks Piastri has a real shot of a podium finish at the Australian Grand Prix at the weekend as he takes part in his second home race in F1.
His first run in Melbourne earned him his first-ever points but he’ll be hoping for better than eighth this time around.
Piastri looking to make a splash in Melbourne
Talking up the 22-year-old, Jones said: “Oscar is going extremely well, he is always up there in the top six or eight and I think all things being equal he has got a very good chance of being on the podium in Melbourne.
“I don’t think he could be doing much better, quite frankly. He has done everything that the team has asked of him and he continues to show the talent that he has got.
“Lando is a very talented, excellent Formula 1 driver and I think for him to go off and beat him, it goes to show the standard of talent that he has got.”
The expectations on the £90,000-a-week driver have risen since last year as he now knows the tracks, cars and his rivals much better.
Standing on the podium at the end of the Australian Grand Prix as Jones suggests would be a perfect way to end his home event.
Unfortunately, he might require either a Red Bull or Ferrari to run into some issues to make that happen.
The post ‘Very good chance’: Alan Jones backs £90k-a-week driver to earn his first podium of 2024 in Australia appeared first on F1 Oversteer.