Piastri celebrates a milestone

Rising star Oscar Piastri says that “nothing springs to mind” as a present for his 21^st birthday, as he prepares to his first Formula 1® Heineken® Australian Grand Prix 2022 as the reserve driver for the BWT Alpine F1 team.

The Melbourne-born driver celebrated the milestone at a function on Wednesday that was attended by a number of F1® identities, including his mentor and manager, Mark Webber, and Alpine teammate, Esteban Ocon.

Piastri's closest friends and family also attended before he heads back to Europe to fulfil his duties with the UK-based, French-owned team.

“I am very happy to be here for my first Grand Prix in Melbourne with my friends, to have my girlfriend Lily here for the first time,” said Piastri.

A number of video messages were sent to the young driver, including ones from AFL football star Jack Riewoldt, test cricketers Peter Siddle and Brad Hodge, motorcycle legend Mick Doohan and his son Jack, a rising star in Formula 2 racing and Rene Rosin, the head of the Prema team with which Piastri won the 2020 Formula 3 and 2021 Formula 2 titles.

There was also a cheeky message from Zhao Guanyu, the driver whom Piastri beat to the F2 title, and who is now driving in Formula 1 with the Alfa Romeo team.

From the world of entertainment, he received messages from Australian actor Eric Bana and Sunrise breakfast TV hosts David Koch and Natalie Barr, while Supercars pilot Thomas Randle and Isle of Man TT racer Dave Johnson also sent their best wishes.