Formula One star Oscar Piastri has been awarded the Don Award, Australia’s highest sporting honour, celebrating his achievements and impact over the past year. The 24-year-old, a nine-time Grand Prix winner, described receiving the accolade as a “massive privilege,” highlighting the legacy of legendary cricketer Donald Bradman, after whom the award is named.
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Piastri, who is vying to become Australia’s third Formula One world champion following Jack Brabham and Alan Jones, has thrilled fans this year with his stellar performances on the track. Despite losing the lead in the title race at last month’s Mexico City Grand Prix, he remains a national icon, currently 24 points behind his McLaren teammate Lando Norris with three races remaining.
The award was presented at the annual Sport Australia Hall of Fame event in Melbourne, recognising the athlete or team that has most inspired the nation in the last 12 months. Piastri thanked his supporters worldwide, saying, “It’s always an amazing feeling to represent our country on the world stage and do well for ourselves.”
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The Don Award joins a prestigious list of past recipients, including Ian Thorpe, Cathy Freeman, Adam Scott, Ashleigh Barty, and the Australia women’s football team. This year, the Dawn Award, named after swimming legend Dawn Fraser, was presented to seven-time world surfing champion Layne Beachley, recognising her transformative contributions to women’s surfing and the sport’s pursuit of pay equity.
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Beachley reflected on her journey, saying, “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… Now women can truly aspire to be seen and respected in what was once a male-dominated environment.”