F1: Oscar Piastri wins Australia’s top sports honour
Nine-time Formula One Grand Prix winner Oscar Piastri has won Australian sport’s highest honour, the Don Award, with the F1 calling it a “massive privilege”.
The 24-year-old has springboarded into the elite this year, 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, losing the lead in the title race at last month’s Mexico City Grand Prix and is now 24 points behind McLaren teammate Lando Norris with three races left.
Piastri was recognised at the annual Sport Australia Hall Of Fame awards on Thursday night in his hometown, Melbourne, which honours the Australian athlete or team who most inspired the nation in the past 12 months.
The Don Award 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.
“It’s always an amazing feeling to represent our country on the world stage and do well for ourselves,” he added. “Thank you to everyone that waves the flag and cheers me on at all the Grand Prix races around the world.”
Previous winners have included Ian Thorpe, Cathy Freeman, Adam Scott, Ashleigh Barty and the Australia women’s football team.
Published on Nov 18, 2025