MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Oscar Piastri is quietly confident he can become the first Aussie driver to win the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix. “We’ll be good from the start of this year,” the McLaren driver said as he prepared for the season-opening F1 weekend.

Charles Leclerc set the pace for Ferrari in the second practice session ahead of the Australian Grand Prix. The McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris slotted in closely behind for an ultra-competitive top three, a scene which Lewis Hamilton was unable to muscle his way into in the sister Ferrari.

The 24-race, 2025 Formula One season begins with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne this weekend. McLaren and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen start their respective defences of the constructors’ and drivers’ championships, with two free-practice sessions today ahead of qualifying tomorrow. Today: FP1 (9:30pm ET), FP2 (1am ET).