Melbourne commuters have noticed the very unusual way that Aussie McLaren star Oscar Piastri is promoting this week’s Australian F1 Grand Prix.
Melbourne local Piastri is returning for his second Aussie GP with McLaren and will be competing with his countryman Daniel Ricciardo for Australian bragging rights at Albert Park.
In the meantime, he seems to have lent his voice to Melbourne’s public transport system, with a video surfacing of the 22-year-old appearing to make a tram announcement.
The message gives commuters updates on the frequency of trams going to Southern Cross station, which is a public transport hub in Melbourne’s CBD.
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Piastri is fast becoming a fan favourite in his home town of Melbourne after making his F1 debut for McLaren in 2023
Piastri and his girlfriend Lily Zneimer are pictured in Baku as he received the FIA Rookie of the Year trophy last December
Aussie F1 fans were left impressed after viewing the clip.
‘He should narrate Australian wildlife documentaries or something when he retires. He’d be like an Aussie Attenborough with those unintentional ASMR vibes,’ one posted, referring to the star’s voice triggering an autonomous sensory meridian response – a pleasant sensation associated with hearing a soothing voice.
‘Australian documentaries need more of a Russell Coight vibe, keep the [Americans] guessing as to whether any of it’s actually true,’ added another.
‘His general voice and calmness are perfect for these sorts of announcements actually,’ wrote a third.
The video was originally posted on TikTok by a user who regularly uploads unique takes on F1 drivers including Aussies Oscar Piastri and Daniel Ricciardo
After claiming his first F1 points in Melbourne last year, Piastri is hoping to go better this time around and push for a podium finish
Others have questioned why he would take up the extra gig in a busy lead-up to the Australian F1 Grand Prix.
‘I thought that he would be paid well enough not to need the side hustle,’ one fan posted.
‘It’s a side hustle but it’s also just doing something cool for his city,’ responded another.
‘Every athlete needs a fallback/retirement plan! I always knew Oscar had a good head on his shoulders, he’s just planning for the future,’ another fan wrote.
Piastri (pictured front battling Fernando Alonso during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix) sits on 16 points after two races, with his best effort a fourth-placed finish in Jeddah
Piastri will be looking for a stronger showing than last year’s effort when he tackles the Albert Park circuit, starting with free practice this Friday.
Last year the McLaren drivers had one hand tied behind their backs due to their car’s lack of pace, and both Piastri and teammate Lando Norris were nowhere in the podium mix.
However, Piastri did earn his maiden F1 points in Melbourne last year and will be hoping to push for a possible podium finish this time around after collecting 16 points in the first two races of the season.
He finished eighth in Bahrain, but improved markedly to come fourth in Saudi Arabia, beating Norris, who was four places back.
