Three representatives of motorsport have been named as finalists for the 2021 Victorian Sport Awards, which will take place in Melbourne later this year.
 
Held annually, the Victorian Sport Awards honour those who have made outstanding contributions to sport in Australia or internationally, either individually or for a team. The awards recognise athletes, coaches, administrators and volunteers from both metropolitan and regional areas in Victoria.
 
Current Alpine Formula 1 reserve driver Oscar Piastri and long serving Motorsport Australia volunteer officials Bruce Astbury and Lucy Hatton have been nominated for awards. 
 
It was another trophy-laden season for Piastri in 2021, which was highlighted by the FIA Formula 2 Championship title where he dominated a number of the world’s most talented junior drivers with six wins and a further five podiums.  
 
The comfortable championship win was his third in as many years and saw him rewarded with a number of accolades, including these awards where he has been nominated twice. 
 
As the only individual to be nominated for two awards, Piastri was named as a candidate for both Young Athlete of the Year and Male Athlete of the Year and finds himself in the company of other outstanding sportspeople.
 
In the Male Athlete of the Year award category, Piastri is up against former wheelchair tennis champion Dylan Alcott AO and NBA stars Josh Giddey and Jock Landale. WNBA player Jade Melbourne, Paralympic medallist swimmer Col Pearse and rising table tennis star Nicholas Lum are the other Young Athlete of the Year nominees.
 
Following her 2021 Motorsport Australia Service Award, Lucy Hatton has once again been recognised for her hard work as an official after being named as one of four Official of the Year nominees. 
 
Hatton had a very busy 12 months during 2021, despite the pandemic causing multiple lockdowns in Victoria. She played an integral part of Motorsport Australia’s virtual development of officials, which included hosting an online bronze time-keeping training course.
 

Like Hatton, Bruce Astbury was quite busy during the pandemic and has been nominated for the Volunteer of the Year award. 
 
President of the Marque Sports Car Association of Victoria, Astbury was pivotal in navigating the club through the pandemic and was able to help run events last year when the state was open, as the club celebrated its 50th anniversary in style.
 
Motorsport Australia CEO Eugene Arocca congratulated all three individuals on their nominations. 
 
“Although 2021 proved a difficult year for the state, especially in the sporting world, it did not stop many people from going above and beyond in their chosen fields,” Arocca said.  
 
“To have three motorsport representatives nominated for awards celebrating every type of sport is a fantastic achievement and highlights how impressive our members’ contributions are.
 
“These nominations underline motorsport’s popularity around the country and the quality of talent associated with Motorsport Australia – especially with  two volunteer officials nominated. 
 
“It is also very exciting to see Oscar’s rise up the open-wheel ranks being recognised and I know he would be incredibly pleased to be nominated with other influential and inspirational Australian athletes. 
 
“Hopefully we will celebrate their success with the awards, however, their nomination alone is reward and recognition for their outstanding contributions to sport.”

Click here to view the full list of nominations.
 
The Victorian Sport Awards gala dinner takes place at CENTREPIECE in Melbourne Park on 15 June.