MITCHELL JOHNSON: Oscar Piastri being told not to chase down Lando Norris shows big problem in F1 racing

One of my great childhood memories is of catching my Dad sitting up late at night in the living room watching Formula One.

The dark living room, the bright TV flashing with cars flying around the track but the volume turned down so as not to wake the whole house up. He used to tape races on VHS so we could watch them the next day as well.

On Sunday, I sat down with my own son to watch the Australian Grand Prix and enjoy it together. The driver my son knows best is four-time world champion Max Verstappen, but he loved seeing the two bright orange McLarens flying around the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne.

One of those bright orange cars belongs to Oscar Piastri, at just 23 already one of the leading Australian athletes on the planet.

Piastri’s late spin-out cost him the chance to become the first Australian to stand on the podium at the Australian Grand Prix. But after qualifying on the front row and pushing teammate and race winner Lando Norris, it was more evidence that Piastri has what it takes to win a drivers’ championship.

What stood out was his capability as a driver, and he clearly has a solid car set-up that will allow him to compete at a high level this season.

Piastri reflected afterwards that perhaps he was pushing a bit too hard when he went off track. That can happen in a sport that is typically on edge as they take themselves and their cars to the limits.

It’ll be fascinating to see how the dynamics play out with two quick drivers in the McLaren team as the season unfolds. The thrill of competition mixed with teamwork will be a focal point to watch as they navigate challenges together.

F1 is a very interesting sport in that respect. It’s hard to think of any other where your own teammate can also be your biggest rival. Naturally, when two drivers have the same car it will be their individual skill that is seen to separate them.

There was an example of that tension on Sunday when Norrris was leading and Piastri was gaining on him. The Aussie was seemingly going quicker but was told on team radio to back off for the time being and not to push.

A few laps later, Piastri was told he could “race,” but things had changed by then, and momentum had shifted too. I can see both sides of the coin on this, but ultimately, I want to see racing at its best and everyone competing to win.

Of course, teammates aren’t there to take each other out, especially when they are one and two. Overall, it was a good race with plenty of skill being shown in testing conditions.

A moment that really pulled at the heartstrings was during the formation lap when young up-and-comer Isack Hadjar crashed out on debut before the race even began. The emotion of that incident was pretty clear even though he had his helmet on.

I can only imagine what it felt like when he lost control of the car; everything happening in slow motion, with a million thoughts flooding his mind. That he had let himself and everyone down in that split second after working so hard to earn his place. His emotions were just too much to contain.

Hadjar received plenty of support, and in such a high-pressure sport, that backing from Lewis Hamilton’s father and others will undoubtedly help him bounce back.

This is the reality of professional sport — when you’re competing in front of millions, it’s easy to feel embarrassed and like you’ve let people down. All sportspeople are so hard on themselves. And F1 is a particularly cutthroat environment. Just ask Jack Doohan.

As for my Dad, I messaged him to see if he was watching on Sunday, and his reply was, “not really”. His interest has waned ever since he watched a driver being told to allow his teammate through for the win.

Those team orders turned him off the sport, and I’m sure he’s not the only one who feels that way.

So here’s hoping Piastri is allowed to race on his merits by McLaren this season regardless of the standings. After all, it’s the Aussie way.