Oscar Piastri: I'm hungry for success and ready to fight

      These days in Melbourne, Oscar Piastri’s hometown, the traditional series of cricket matches between Australia and England is taking place, and the McLaren driver is appearing at the MCG as an honoured guest not for the first time.

      This time the attention on him at home is especially great, because Oscar for the first time in his career was genuinely in contention for the championship title, which ultimately went to his teammate, Lando Norris.

      Before the recent match, Oscar walked out to the middle of the field and, in a conversation with commentators from Australian TV channels, confessed his love for cricket, but the conversation was not only about that sport, which is very popular in the driver’s homeland.

      “Many compatriots told me that this year they had to stay up late to watch the Formula 1 races — I apologise, although I have nothing to apologise for! — Oscar said cheerfully. — It’s been a great season, and I constantly felt wonderful support, and I especially feel it now that I’ve returned home.

      I hope next year we’ll be competitive again and this time try to win the title! I’m just hungry for success and ready to fight. Of course, right now I want to spend a couple of quiet weeks and rest a bit, not thinking about racing. But when we get back to work, there will be a lot to learn and many issues to sort out, because cars and engines in 2026 will be different.

      When changes are of such a large scale, it’s impossible to predict what awaits us, but I’m confident in the people around me, and after a season like this I feel a real confidence in my abilities — it will come in handy whatever happens.”

      By the way, at the match that Oscar attended an all-time attendance record for The Ashes series was set: 94,199 fans gathered in the stands of the Melbourne stadium.