McLaren F1 driver Oscar Piastri wins Australia’s top sports honour
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
McLaren's Oscar Piastri is bidding to become Australia’s third Formula One world champion after Jack Brabham and Alan Jones.
PHOTO: REUTERS
MELBOURNE – Nine-time Grand Prix winner Oscar Piastri has won Australian sport’s highest honour, the Don Award, with the Formula One star calling it a “massive privilege”.
The 24-year-old has springboarded into the elite in 2025, igniting national pride as he bids to become Australia’s third Formula One world champion after Jack Brabham and Alan Jones.
He has a battle on his hands, however, losing the lead in the title race at the Mexico City Grand Prix in October and is now 24 points behind McLaren teammate Lando Norris with three races left.
Red Bull’s four-time world champion Max Verstappen is trailing Piastri by 25 points.
Piastri was recognised at the annual Sport Australia Hall Of Fame awards on Nov 17 in his home town Melbourne.
The Don Award, which honours the Australian athlete or team who most inspired the nation in the past 12 months, is named after legendary Australian cricketer Donald Bradman.
“Winning an award in the name of Sir Donald Bradman is a massive privilege,” Piastri said.
“Everyone in Australia knows exactly what he represented and the legacy he has in Australian sport, so it’s not lost on me how major this award is.”
He added: “It’s always an amazing feeling to represent our country on the world stage and do well for ourselves. Thank you to everyone that waves the flag and cheers me on at all the Grand Prix races around the world.”
Motorsport Australia’s interim chief, Nicky Lennon, congratulated Piastri for the accomplishment.
“Oscar’s achievements over the past year have been nothing short of spectacular,” Lennon said.
“His performances in Formula One continue to inspire Australians and showcase the strength of our motorsport talent on the world stage.”
Previous winners of the award have included Ian Thorpe, Cathy Freeman, Adam Scott, Ashleigh Barty and the Australia women’s football team.
Seven-time world surfing champion Layne Beachley won the Dawn Award, named after swimming great Dawn Fraser, which recognises an individual, team or organisation that has changed sport for the better.
Beachley claimed her first world championship at 26, dominating the sport from 1998 to 2003 with six consecutive titles – a feat unmatched in surfing history.
“When I joined the pro tour in 1990, I was shocked by the state of women’s surfing and committed to changing the sport’s trajectory,” she said.
“Through compromises, sacrifices and battles, we achieved pay equity in 2018. Now women can truly aspire to be seen and respected in what was once a male-dominated environment.” AFP
