PIASTRI WINS SIR JACK BRABHAM AWARD FOR SECOND TIME

FIA Formula 2 Championship winner and 2022 Formula 1 Alpine reserve driver Oscar Piastri has been presented the Sir Jack Brabham award for the second year running.

The Sir Jack Brabham award was presented at the home of the Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park today.

Former Formula 1 driver and recently retired Supercars Race Director Tim Schenken presented the award to Piastri in the pit lane.

The award from Motorsport Australia is handed to the best performing Australian racing internationally, recognising the achievements they accomplished during the season.

Past winners include his manager and multiple-time Grand Prix winner Mark Webber, Indy500 and IndyCar Series winner Will Power, multiple-time F1 race winner Daniel Ricciardo, and NASCAR Cup Series winner Marcus Ambrose.

Despite the illustrious list of names today Piastri is the first driver to win the award twice, let alone in consecutive years.

“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.”

Last year he was given the award for winning the 2020 FIA Formula 3 Championship, in 2021 he went back-to-back by winning the second-tier Formula 2 Championship.

During the presentation, Piastri’s manager Webber was in attendance as well as Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chairman Paul Little AO, Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO, Andrew Westacott and Motorsport Australia CEO, Eugene Arocca.

Motorsport Australia President Andrew Fraser was very complementary of Piastri’s achievements.

“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.”

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