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Oscar Piastri’s mum, Nicole, has revealed that she would much rather her son be a professional golfer or tennis player than a Formula One superstar.
It's been a sensational season for the McLaren driver, despite the 24-year-old being usurped at the top of the World Championship by his team-mate Lando Norris.
And the youngster, who has claimed seven victories on the premier racing circuit this year, was honoured on Monday night at the Australian Sports Hall Of Fame (SAHOF) awards after he was presented with The Don Award.
Named after Sir Donald Bradman, The Don honours the Australian sporting star who has ‘inspired the nation the most' over the past year. It is one of Aussie sports highest honours, with the likes of Cathy Freeman, Shane Warne and Ash Barty having also claimed the illustrious honour.
Surfing icon Layne Beachley claimed the Dawn Award at the yearly ceremony at Melbourne’s Crown Towers.
The seven-time world champion was honoured for her pivotal contribution to the sport and the significant obstacles she overcame.
Oscar Piastri was presented with The Don Award at Monday night's Sport Australia Hall Of Fame awards
His mother Nicole hailed her son stating that she was proud of him, but stated that she wished he had picked a different sport to play, noting the stresses of watching him race (pictured L-R: Piastri's sisters Mae, Hattie, his mother Nicole and third sister Edie)
Piastri (pictured) with his mother has enjoyed a sensational season, but trails his team-mate Lando Norris by 24 points heading into the final three races of the season
With three races left to go this season, Piastri trails his team-mate Norris by 24 points in the Formula One World Championship.
Piastri, who is currently in Las Vegas preparing for this weekend’s Grand Prix, was unable to attend Monday’s event, with his mother Nicole, dad Chris and sisters, Hattie, Edie, and Mae, picking up the award on his behalf.
Despite admitting she often found it tough to watch him race, Nicole explained that she was very proud of her son, joking that she wished he’d call her more often.
'It's fair to say Formula One is not a mother's sport,' she said.
'I'd much prefer Oscar to be a pro golfer or tennis player. But it was apparent from a very young age that car racing was his passion, so I support it.
'My heart rate is dangerously high every race, particularly at the start.'
Nicole said she could not ask for more from him, 'except maybe for your son to ring you a bit more often'.
Piastri won seven of F1's first 15 rounds this year for a career total of nine and the McLaren driver led the standings as recently as the end of August.
Surfing icon Layne Beachley claimed the Dawn Award at the yearly ceremony at Melbourne’s Crown Tower
Piastri's parents accepted the award, with his Dad Chris speaking of how their son went overseas as a teenager to pursue his motorsport ambitions
Even though he has finished off the podium in the last five races and trails British teammate Norris by 24 points with three rounds left, Hall Of Fame selection committee chair Bruce McAvaney said Piastri's season had been the 'most compelling' story in Australian sport this year.
Piastri is the first F1 driver to win The Don since its inception in 1998. Last year's winners were Olympic canoeing champions Jessica and Noemie Fox.
'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,' Piastri said.
'So it's not lost on me how major this award is.'Piastri was unable to attend the SAHOF function in person, with the next round of the F1 season in Las Vegas on Sunday.
'It's always an amazing feeling to represent our country on the world stage and we normally have some good success trying to do it as a country (on) the other side of the world ... and with not as many people as a lot of other places,' he said.
'We do pretty good for ourselves. Thank you very much for all the support.'
Piastri's parents accepted the award, with his Dad Chris speaking of how their son went overseas as a teenager to pursue his motorsport ambitions.
'I don't think (his) Mum was too keen on the idea, I wasn't too keen either, but he did it... it's a massive credit to him,' Chris said.
Even though he has finished off the podium in the last five races and trails British teammate Norris by 24 points with three rounds left, Hall Of Fame selection committee chair Bruce McAvaney said Piastri's (right, with Lando Norris, left) season had been the 'most compelling' story in Australian sport this year
'He's going to fight there to the end (in the championship).
'The way he carries himself, his humble nature - he'll never change, even if he wins five world championships.'
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 the new SAHOF inductees.
