Piastri receives second major award
Oscar Piastri has been named the 2021 Sir Jack Brabham Award winner for the second consecutive year, highlighting yet another impressive year in motorsport.
While Piastri joins IndyCar star, Will Power, as the only driver to win the award twice, the 20-year-old becomes the first driver to do it consecutive years.
Piastri has had a remarkable rise up the international ranks in recent years, which has seen him win three of the most highly regarded junior categories.
While his Formula Renault Eurocup title in 2019 was impressive enough and helped him earn a seat as an Alpine Academy driver, 2020’s FIA Formula 3 Championship title in a rookie year put him on the map as an emerging talent and he was duly awarded his first Sir Jack Brabham Award by Motorsport Australia.
Following his 2020 feats, Piastri claimed the FIA Formula 2 Championship title in 2021, establishing him as one of the best junior talents in the world. This success also saw him become Alpine’s reserve Formula 1 driver for 2022.
In claiming his F2 title, the Victorian driver showcased his maturity and skill with a season full of success, proving he is ready to make the step up to Formula 1.
Six race wins, five additional podiums, five consecutive poles and a 62-point gap between he and the second placed Robert Shwartzman illustrated the Australian’s dominance at the top junior level.
In addition to his title, Piastri also claimed the Anthoine Hubert Award (F2 Rookie of the Year), FIA Rookie of the Year and the Bruce McLaren Trophy from the British Racing Drivers’ Club.
Following on from his most successful ever campaign in a race car, Piastri was proud to wrap up the year with the Sir Jack Brabham Award.
“I am very honoured to receive this award for the second consecutive year. Obviously the first time was special in itself but to do it again is just incredible,” Piastri said.
“A big thank you to the Motorsport Australia Board for choosing me as this year’s Sir Jack Brabham Award recipient. It’s quite special knowing that I am in the rare company of people to have won the award twice, with Will Power being the only other.
“Receiving the award is certainly a nice way to cap off a year where I won the Formula 2 Championship as well as other awards like the FIA Rookie of the Year and Bruce McLaren Trophy.
“While it might not directly compare to the thrill of winning races or the championship title, I’m still very appreciative of these awards because they are linked to my success and are a nice bonus for all my hard work.
“As for my on-track performances, I was amazed that I went back-to-back with Formula Renault and Formula 3, but to win each of top three junior categories was amazing – you really couldn’t have written the script of the past three years any better.
“I have had my time to celebrate but now I am fully focused on a big 2022 and I feel like I am peaking at the right time.”
Motorsport Australia President Andrew Fraser was full of praise for Piastri and congratulated him on his award.
“To win this award once is a very special feat but to win it twice is a remarkable achievement and Oscar is a highly deserving recipient of the 2022 Sir Jack Brabham Award.” Fraser said.
“Oscar is a once-in-a-generation driver and not many individuals come close to experiencing the sort of success this young man has accumulated over the years.
“I wish him all the best for his year as Alpine’s F1 Reserve Driver and hopefully we will be seeing him in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship sooner rather than later.”
Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO, Andrew Westacott said Piastri has proven to be an incredibly talented driver and congratulated him on being awarded the Sir Jack Brabham Award for the second time. “No driver has received this prestigious award twice, let alone back-to-back. It’s a true testament to how skilled Oscar is behind the wheel, and I cannot wait to see what lies ahead for him in Formula 1.”
Piastri was presented the award by former Ferrari driver and Motorsport Australia’s Tim Schenken in front of media at Albert Park.
SIR JACK BRABHAM AWARD WINNERS
2021: Oscar Piastri
2020: Oscar Piastri
2018: Will Power
2017: Matthew Campbell
2014: Daniel Ricciardo
2012: David Brabham
2011: Tony Gaze, DFC & Two Bars, OAM
2009: Marcos Ambrose
2009: Mark Webber AO
2007: Will Power
2006: Cody Crocker
2006: Ben Atkinson
