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Piastri joins Aussie F1 elite with first Grand Prix win

Oscar Piastri has roared to his maiden Formula One victory in the Hungarian Grand Prix, becoming only the fifth Australian driver to reach motor racing’s pinnacle.

But the 23-year-old Melbourne ace only earned victory after a dramatic race in which his reluctant teammate Lando Norris had to be persuaded by McLaren to follow team orders and let the Melbourne driver through in the last couple of laps.

Piastri had been in control of Sunday’s race after he grabbed the lead on the first turn from polesitter Norris, but later as the team went ahead with tactical pitstops to ensure a one-two, the English driver, who went into the lead, initially refused to give back position on the track to the Australian.

Eventually, though, after much pleading, Norris gave way on the 68th of the 70 laps at the Hungaroring circuit, allowing Piastri to win his first Grand Prix in just his 35th start after four previous podiums. He had also won a sprint race in Qatar last year.

Piastri now joins Jack Brabham, Alan Jones, Mark Webber and Daniel Ricciardo on the Australian F1 roll of honor.