Piastri claims prestigious FIA award after debut F1 campaign

Oscar Piastri has been named the FIA Rookie of the Year award following his first season in Formula 1.

Piastri joined McLaren for the campaign after spending the 2022 seasons on the sidelines in a reserve role with Alpine.

The Australian driver enjoyed a successful maiden year in F1 despite McLaren's rocky start to the season.

The Woking-based squad was subjected to back-of-the-grid competition in the early races before successfully developing its car to lift it into podium contention.

Piastri scored two podiums during the season and even secured sprint pole position and victory in Qatar.

His achievements helped him claim the FIA Rookie of the Year award for the second time in his career as he was also decorated after his title-winning Formula 2 campaign in 2021.

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

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

Piastri is the first F1 rookie to win the award since Alex Albon in 2019 and joins Charles Leclerc as a two-time winner of the honour.