Growing up in Melbourne, Oscar Piastri could hear the Formula One roar from his family home.
Now, Piastri is eagerly awaiting a roar of a different kind: from the home-town crowd when he makes his F1 debut on the Albert Park circuit on Friday.
"I grew up ... about 10 kilometres from the track," said Piastri of his family home in Oakleigh in Melbourne's inner-south.
"When I was little, I could hear the F1 races from my family home.
"And so even just the thought of the grand prix here brings back a lot of special memories."
Piastri experienced his first Australian Grand Prix in 2015 as a 14-year-old.
"I was selected to be a grid kid for Daniil Kvyat," he said.
"Unfortunately, he broke down on the formation lap, so I didn't actually get a chance to meet him."
Piastri soon carved a reputation as a precocious talent.
He became the first driver to win three consecutive F1 feeder series championships - the 2019 Formula Renault Eurocup, the 2020 Formula 3, and the 2021 Formula 2 titles.
And even last year, as a reserve driver for Alpine, he felt the home-town love in Melbourne despite not racing.
"I got a taste of it last season as a reserve driver and was blown away by the reception from the fans and their passion for the event," he said.
"I'm sure this year is going to be no different."
What is different is Piastri now has a seat in a McLaren and will drive the Albert Park circuit for the first time on Friday during two F1 practice sessions.
"I can't wait to experience the atmosphere and take it all in," he said.
"It's going to be a super-special feeling to race in my home city, and I know there is going to be an amazing buzz."
Piastri's McLaren has struggled in the opening two races of the season - the Australian finished last (20th) in the season-opener in Bahrain and 15th in Saudi Arabia.
His McLaren teammate Lando Norris fared similar, placing 17th twice as Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez logged one-two finishes with a win each.
Reigning world champion Verstappen won in Bahrain and was behind Perez in Saudi Arabia while suffering from a virus, which still lingers.
"I got to the (Saudi Arabian) weekend really believing it was gone," Verstappen said.
"But then when I jumped in the car in (practice one) ... I felt like I had to recover for two laps to be able to breathe normally.
"I was physically limited, and that's really frustrating when you're out in the car.
"Since then, I've been trying to work on it, trying to improve it, and I do think it has improved a lot."
