Oscar Piastri has won the Don Award at the Sport Australia Hall Of Fame. He earned this award for his breakout start to the Formula 1 season, with seven wins in his third year as an F1 driver.
What happened?
Oscar Piastri won seven of F1's first 15 rounds this year, leading the standings as recently as the end of August. He trails British teammate Lando Norris by 24 points with three rounds left.
Why it matters for Oscar Piastri
The Don Award honors the Australian sporting star who has most inspired the nation over the past year. Piastri is the first F1 driver to win this award since its inception in 1998.
Oscar Piastri said winning an award in the name of Sir Donald Bradman is a massive privilege. He thinks everyone in Australia knows exactly what Sir Donald represented and the legacy he has in Australian sport.
What comes next?
Piastri will continue to fight for the championship, with the next round of the F1 season in Las Vegas on Sunday. His parents accepted the award on his behalf, with his dad Chris speaking of how their son went overseas as a teenager to pursue his motorsport ambitions.
And Piastri's mum Nicole said she often finds it tough to watch him race. She'd much prefer Oscar to be a pro golfer or tennis player, but it was apparent from a young age that car racing was his passion.
Oscar Piastri's season has been the most compelling story in Australian sport this year, according to Hall Of Fame selection committee chair Bruce McAvaney. Piastri led the standings as recently as the end of August, with seven wins in his third year as an F1 driver.
The Don Award was introduced to honor Sir Donald Bradman, and it recognizes the Australian sporting star who has most inspired the nation over the past year. Piastri's win is a significant achievement, and he will continue to fight for the championship in the remaining rounds of the F1 season.
Oscar Piastri's parents were proud to accept the award on his behalf, and they spoke of their son's dedication and passion for motorsport. His dad Chris said he's going to fight to the end in the championship, and his mum Nicole said she could not ask for more from him, except maybe for him to ring her a bit more often.
The Sport Australia Hall Of Fame awards also honored other Australian sporting stars, including surfing great Layne Beachley, who won the Dawn Award. Basketballer Andrew Gaze and cricketer Belinda Clark were officially elevated to SAHOF Legend status.
Oscar Piastri's win is a significant achievement, and it recognizes his outstanding performance in the Formula 1 season. He will continue to fight for the championship, and his dedication and passion for motorsport have earned him the respect and admiration of his peers and fans.