FOLLOWING a hugely successful year on tracks internationally, Oscar Piastri has been named 2021 Sir Jack Brabham Award winner for the second consecutive year.
The award, which was named in honour of Australia’s first-ever Formula 1 World Champion, Sir Jack Brabham OBE, is one of Motorsport Australia’s highest honours and recognises outstanding achievements and success by an Australian motorsport competitor at an international level.
The 20-year-old, who has family ties to Shepparton, is the first driver to win the accolade in two consecutive years, joining IndyCar driver, William Power, as the only drivers to win the award twice.
Piastri has had a remarkable rise up the international ranks in recent years, where he has won three of the most highly regarded junior categories. During 2021, he claimed the FIA Forumla 2 Championship titles, earning him the exciting role as Alpine’s reserve Formula 1 driver this year.
Following on from his most successful ever campaign in a race car, Piastri was extremely proud to wrap up the year with the Sir Jack Brabham Award.
“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.”
Piastri was presented the award by former Ferrari driver and Motorsport Australia’s Tim Schenken in front of media at Albert Park.
