Fresh from a tense Formula 1 championship battle, Oscar Piastri made an unexpected appearance at Monaco’s Diamond League athletics meet – and stole the show in the stands.
The 23-year-old Australian driver, currently leading the 2025 F1 standings, took a rare weekend break to attend one of athletics’ biggest events.
‘I loved athletics as a kid. Unbelievable to watch the best up close,’ Piastri posted to Instagram after his visit.
Among the highlights: a brush with royalty, a front-row seat to Australian sporting history, and a meeting with sprint prodigy Gout Gout.
Piastri’s post included a photo with Prince Albert II of Monaco and another sitting alongside Gout, sparking instant fan reactions.
‘Oscar and Gout Gout – an iconic Aussie duo,’ wrote one fan.
Gout and Oscar sit together in Monaco stands, dubbed ‘the two fastest men in Australia’ by fans
Prince Albert II of Monaco shares a moment with Oscar Piastri at the Diamond League meet
Another added, ‘Two Aussie legends.’
One summed it up perfectly: ‘The two fastest men in Australia.’
On the track, Gout Gout proved he’s a name to remember, winning the under-23 200m final in 20.10 seconds.
Despite running into a punishing -1.9 headwind, the 17-year-old outpaced a field that included Olympic silver medallist Busang Collen Kebinatshipi.
The Queensland schoolboy, taking advantage of a mid-year break, made the trip to Europe for his Diamond League debut.
‘This is preparation,’ Gout said.
‘Just getting my feet out there. It’s really fun to compete out here.’
The teen sensation signed autographs and spoke with confidence about racing the world’s best.
Piastri soaks in the atmosphere at the track while supporting Australia’s rising athletics talent
The F1 star congratulates pole vaulter Kurtis Marschall after he secured a podium finish
‘I just want to go out there and see what I can do,’ he said.
His time would have placed him fifth in the men’s open 200m final, where Olympic champions Noah Lyles and Letsile Tebogo ran season-best times.
That comparison is even more impressive given the U23 field faced stronger headwinds.
Piastri, who has won five of the 12 F1 races this season, leads McLaren teammate Lando Norris by just eight points in the Drivers’ Championship.
With both drivers finishing on the podium in nearly every race, the title battle is now an all-McLaren affair.
‘It’s a very tight battle, and I think it will be for the rest of the year,’ Piastri said.
Team boss Zak Brown has ruled out any team orders, despite the close standings.
‘There’s just no way we will,’ he said when asked if either driver would be forced into a support role.
Marschall cleared 5.92m to claim bronze behind world record holder Mondo Duplantis
The commitment to fair racing was tested at the British Grand Prix, where Piastri was penalised 10 seconds during a Safety Car period.
The decision cost him the win, and he requested a position swap with Norris over radio – a request the team ultimately denied.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella praised the communication.
‘We always tell our drivers to speak up. Oscar did exactly that,’ Stella said.
Piastri’s focus remains sharp: ‘Finding 100 per cent instead of 99 is very difficult,’ he said.
‘On our good days, either of us are very hard to beat.’
While Piastri’s mind is firmly on the championship, his Monaco visit showed his appreciation for Aussie athletes across the board.
Jess Hull delivered a national record in the women’s 1000m final, slicing more than two seconds off the previous best.
She finished third behind Kenya’s undefeated Nelly Chepchirchir and American Addison Wiley.
‘That last 80 metres was probably the longest I’ve had in a while,’ Hull said.
Peter Bol was equally impressive, finishing fourth in the men’s 800m with a time of 1:42.55.
The performance broke his own national record and moved him into the world’s top 30 all-time.
‘I’ve overcome a lot over the last few years, I’m back and I’m better,’ Bol said.
Pole vaulter Kurtis Marschall joined the list of standout Aussies, clearing 5.92m to secure a podium finish.
