Oscar Piastri has been honoured with the prestigious Lorenzo Bandini Trophy for his performances in the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship.

Each year, the trophy is awarded to a driver, person or team in Formula 1 for “commendable performance in motorsport”. It was established in 1992 in honour of Italian driver Lorenzo Bandini, who passed away three days after suffering a major accident in the 1967 Monaco Grand Prix.

The winner is selected by a panel of 12 judges, consisting of former F1 team members and motor racing journalists, and honoured at a ceremony ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in nearby Brisighella. The trophy, which can only be won once, is a ceramic replica of Bandini’s Ferrari Formula 1 car, adorned with his racing number 18.

“This one is definitely special. It is a real privilege to accept this award. I know a lot of the history - Andrea Stella has told stories of Lorenzo Bandini.

The award is very special, in terms of what the trophy itself means and also what Lorenzo means to people, but it is also special because of the reception here, with so many fans [in attendance]. I knew about the racing heritage in this part of the world, but I don’t think I appreciated just how passionate everybody is until today. It has been a fun day.”

Oscar is the 4th McLaren driver to have won the award during their time with the team, joining Lando Norris (2023), Kimi Räikkönen (2004) and Lewis Hamilton (2010). He also becomes the 3rd Australian to win the award, after Mark Webber (2006) and Daniel Ricciardo (2014).

Oscar, who has Italian heritage on his father’s side of the family, added:

“I am very much Australian, but I am Italian in some ways, and today I have been able to meet some people from my family’s hometown, many generations ago, where the Piastri name is from, which has been a really special experience.”