Melbourne is Oscar Piastri country

If you step foot in Melbourne this week, you’ll quickly learn there’s no escaping Oscar Piastri. His face beams down from billboards, sails past on trams, and even greets hungry fans outside Grill’d, where his limited-edition burger has become a nationwide hit for the chain. He also recorded special announcements for the city’s public transport system and will make appearances for brands like Jack Daniel’s and Mastercard in the lead-up to the race. Australia’s golden boy is so inescapable that even his own sister, Hattie, has had enough — a viral TikTok video showed her running into multiple billboards of her big brother on her daily commute. That’s all to say, there’s no question that the nation’s love affair with the McLaren ace is well underway. 

It’s easy to forget that 2025 is only Piastri’s third season as an F1 driver; at just 23 years old, he already carries himself with the maturity of a seasoned veteran. He entered the paddock in the shadow of his charismatic fellow countryman, Daniel Ricciardo, after he was booted from the Papaya outfit at the end of 2022. But Piastri immediately made it clear he had no plans to replicate the larger-than-life antics and specific brand of Aussie humor that made Ricciardo a household name. In contrast, Piastri is quiet, but fans have since learned that he’s also hilariously dry and witty. He’s not flashy in any sense of the word either, and he certainly isn’t trying to be someone he’s not. 

Oscar Piastri, McLaren F1 Team, 1st position, Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, and Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Team, 2nd position, celebrate after the Sprint

Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images

That authenticity has made him a magnet for brands — whether it be a personal deal with Grill’d or his McLaren sponsor obligations with Mastercard. It’s also great timing considering Ricciardo’s decade-long reign as the king of the Australian Grand Prix is coming to an end: there’s a new hometown hero to serve as the face of Aussie motorsport — and he’s plastered on every available billboard, bus stop, and screen.

Piastri is seemingly feeling more confident and at-ease than ever before, and he’s got plenty to be happy about following the announcement that he inked a contract extension with McLaren this week. The length of the multi-year deal was not disclosed, though his current contract runs through 2026. “It’s a great feeling knowing that I’m part of McLaren’s long-term vision,” he said in a press release Wednesday. “I’m very proud to be continuing to represent this legendary team for many years to come. I’m excited to fight for the big prizes as a McLaren driver and after last year’s fantastic achievements, it has made me even hungrier to stay at the sharp end.” 

Another Oscar Piastri advert on the tram in Melbourne, Australia

Not only did Piastri become a grand prix winner in 2024, but he played a vital role in helping the team clinch its first constructor’s title since 1998. He and Lando Norris, who also signed a contract extension last year, are one of the strongest line-ups on the grid, meaning fans have a real shot of seeing an Aussie claim victory at Albert Park on Sunday. In the history of the race, no Australian driver has ever stood on the podium, but if anyone can break the so-called curse, it’s Piastri.