It is the first time an Australian has led the drivers' championship for 15 years, following his manager Mark Webber in 2010.

At turn one, Piastri nipped inside Max Verstappen, who had begun the race on pole, resulting in the Dutchman driving off the road to reclaim the lead. He was subsequently given a five-second penalty, enabling Piastri to regain the lead when the Red Bull rider pitted and held onto it to the chequered flag.

Piastri claimed the championship lead from his McLaren teammate Lando Norris, who began in 10th after crashing in qualifying and came fourth.

Australian rookie Jack Doohan finished 17th in his Alpine.

It is early days with only five races run, but after a disappointing ninth in the opening race in Melbourne, Piastri is the form driver, having won in Shanghai, Bahrain last week, and now Jeddah, and finished third in Suzuka.

"I am not bothered that I am leading the world championship, but I am proud of the hard work we have done to get here," Piastri said.

"I want to be leading the championship after round 24, not round five."

"It was a pretty tough race, one of the toughest in my career," he added after 50 laps in 30-degree temperatures around a very fast track.

With AAP.