Australia's F3 champion Oscar Piastri has rounded out 2020 by claiming the prestigious Autosport Rookie of the Year Award.
It's a big honour for the 19-year-old Victorian, who joins the likes of Jenson Button, Mark Webber, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc as winners of the award.
It recognises professional drivers who are in their first year of their respective categories.
Piastri took the F3 title in a battle that went down to the final race of the season.
"It's very cool – thanks to everyone who voted for me and to Autosport for putting me up for nomination," Piastri said.
"I keep having to remind myself that this was a rookie season!
"The compact calendar put everyone to the test. It took its toll mentally and physically having nine race weekends in 11 weeks, but I'm very happy to have walked away with the championship.
"Winning the championship meant I got the opportunity to test a Formula One car with Renault. That was the coolest day of my life so far and hopefully there will be more of those."
Piastri took the award ahead of sports car star and former F1 driver Paul di Resta, World Rally Championship driver Kalle Rovanpera and F2 race winner Yuki Tsunoda. Tsunoda was last night confirmed as a driver for the AlphaTauri F1 team in 2021.
The Australian will make the move to F2 in 2021, replacing Mick Schumacher in the Prema team, the same team that carried him to the F3 title this year.
It's not out of the question that Piastri can be on the F1 grid in Melbourne in 2022, although 2023 appears a more likely timeframe.
A member of the Renault Sport Academy, Piastri is currently in hotel quarantine in Melbourne, after arriving back in Australia on the weekend.
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