Sport
18 November, 2025
The Australian Sports Hall of Fame Awards honour Oscar Piastri and Layne Beachley.
On Monday 17 November, at The Australian Sports Hall of Fame Awards, Oscar Piastri 24, was awarded The Don Award, in his hometown of Melbourne, for outstanding achievements in Formula 1® over the last 12 months.
On Monday 17 November, at The Australian Sports Hall of Fame Awards, Oscar Piastri 24, was awarded The Don Award, in his hometown of Melbourne, for outstanding achievements in Formula 1® over the last 12 months.
The Don Award, introduced in 1998 and named for the Sport Australia Hall of Fame’s inaugural Inductee Sir Donald Bradman AC, honours an Australian athlete or team whose achievements and example over the past 12 months have most inspired the nation, and is considered Australian sport’s highest honour.
Previous winners have included Ian Thorpe, Cathy Freeman, Adam Scott, Ashleigh Barty and the Australia women's football team.
Seven-time world champion surfer, Layne Beachley took out the Dawn Award, introduced to the hall of fame awards four years ago, honouring Dawn Fraser. It recognises an individual or group that has shown courage and bravery and changed sport for the better.
Piastri's parents accepted the award as the McLaren driver is in preparation for Las Vegas’ FI race on Sunday. His mum, Nicole, said she often found it tough to watch him race.
"Formula 1 is not a mother's sport. I’d much prefer Oscar to be a pro golfer or tennis player, my heart rate is dangerously high every race, particularly at the start."
Piastri told media, “Obviously winning an award in the name of Sir Donald Bradman is a massive privilege. I think everyone in Australia knows exactly what Sir Donald represented and the legacy he has in Australian sport."
"Thank you to everyone that waves the flag and cheers me on at all the Grand Prix races around the world."
In just three seasons, Piastri has won nine Formula One Grands Prix. He began his career in radio-controlled racing before moving into karting aged 10, winning several regional titles.
Beachley won six successive world titles from 1998 to 2003 before returning from neck and knee injuries to claim her seventh in 2006.
"I'm surprised I'm being recognised and celebrated for a career that ended so long ago, so I feel a bit of impostor syndrome despite investing back in the sport as heavily as I do," 53-year-old Beachley said.
Basketballer, Andrew Gaze and cricketer Belinda Clark were officially elevated to SAHOF Legend status.
Torah Bright (snowboarding), Jason Dunstall (AFL), Laura Geitz (netball), Peter Harcourt (sports medicine), Lleyton Hewitt (tennis), Mark Schwarzer (soccer) and Cameron Smith (rugby league) were new SAHOF inductees.
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