Piastri scores latest honour at FIA Awards

Oscar Piastri has picked up his latest accolade from his outstanding first season in Formula 1, scooping up the Rookie of the Year honour at the special FIA Awards.

Whilst Piastri was the standout from the F1 2023 school of rookies, finishing ninth, well ahead of AlphaTauri’s Liam Lawson, Williams’ Logan Sargeant and AlphaTauri’s Nyck de Vries, who occupied the bottom three spots. It also covers a number of top level racing categories around the around.

The Australian stepped into the pinnacle of motorsport in challenging circumstances, having not raced for a year and alongside an established and confident Lando Norris at McLaren.

But the Brighton boy did not take long to make his mark and pushed Norris throughout the season with major highlights a Sprint podium in Belgium, Grand Prix podium at Japan and Sprint victory in Qatar.

It is the second time Piastri has won the FIA Rookie of the Year award, having also received the honour in 2021 after clinching the FIA Formula 2 Championship in his maiden season.

“If we can start next year like we finished this season, we should be in good shape,” Piastri said at the ceremony, held in Baku, Azerbaijan.

“Enjoyed my rookie season in F1 a lot. Hopefully, it is the last rookie season of my career.”

Having followed on from his Suzuka breakthrough with another visit to the rostrum in Qatar, Piastri became the first F1 rookie to score multiple podiums since Lewis Hamilton in 2007.

Elsewhere Max Verstappen received the FIA Formula 1 World Drivers Champion trophy for a third time.

After a record-breaking year that may never be repeated again, Verstappen admitted one win created the most emotion driving the all conquering RB19.

“Of course, through the year we were on a great roll and you want to perform every single race weekend,” he said.

“But I think it did hit me a little hard once I was standing on the podium in Abu Dhabi.

“You realise the season is over, and you don’t get to drive this car any more unfortunately. But it has been incredible… I am extremely proud of what we have achieved this year but of course I hope also it doesn’t stop.”

Fernando Alonso received the FIA Action of the Year award for his special efforts holding off Sergio Perez in a thrilling fight that went to the chequered flag in São Paulo for the podium.

“Any battle on track needs the collaboration of two,” he said in a video message.

“I think this should be an example not only for the present but also for future generations, where we must promote clean driving without any contact between cars.

“So hopefully see you next year with more action on track – and thanks to all the fans and the FIA.”

Photo by Zak Mauger / LAT Images

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