Viral Video: Oscar Piastri crashes out of Australian Grand Prix after skidding off at Turn 4 and slamming into barrier before the race start; watch here

Oscar Piastri Crashes Out: It was a day to forget for McLaren's Oscar Piastri who crashed out of the Australian Grand Prix before it even began on Sunday (March 8, 2026). Things went downhill for Piastri, who is considered the hometown hero, after his reconnaissance lap went haywire ahead of the season-opening race at Albert Park.

Ahead of the official kickoff, Piastri lost control when he hit the exit kerb of turn four, skidded and slammed ‌into a ⁠barrier, damaging ⁠his right front wheel, the front wing and nose of the car.

Oscar Piastri crash viral video





Piastri, who stood third in the championship last season, said he was OK on the team radio and exited the car before walking back to the pit. Mercedes' George Russell won the race ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli, while Piastri's teammate and defending champion Lando Norris finished fifth.

Piastri said he was 'blindsided'

Piastri, who was ⁠to have ‌lined up fifth on the grid, later said he was blindsided by a surge in torque in his car but ⁠also accepted some of the blame for the mishap. "We had a couple of things going on," he said in the paddock, as quoted by news agency Reuters. "I think the first part I want to stress is that there is certainly a big element of it that was me.

"Cold tyres, I have used that exit kerb every lap of the weekend, but I didn't have to. At the same time, I ‌had about 100kW extra power that I didn't expect, which is not insignificant."