Oscar Piastri’s mum speaks of pride as her son aims for Grand Prix glory in Melbourne

The mum of Melbourne F1 star Oscar Piastri has spoken of her pride in her son’s achievements on and off the track as he strives to make history at Albert Park.

McLaren's Australian driver Oscar Piastri celebrates with his mother, Nicole Piastri. Picture: AFP

Nicole Piastri, mum of Australian F1 star Oscar Piastri, has spoken of her pride in her son’s achievements.

A huge crowd favourite at Albert Park, Oscar is shaping up for his best year yet in Formula 1 and this week inked a multi-year contract extension with McLaren.

“I am incredibly proud of Oscar not because he can drive fast, because he has always driven fast, I am incredible proud that he is very kind and very humble and he is very grateful,” she said.

“It is really exciting to be driving through the streets of Melbourne and see so much orange and to see Oscar’s number on people’s shirts is just really amazing. It is a really great feeling. I am the proudest mum.”

Nicole Piastri celebrates with her son after he won the Formula One Azerbaijan Grand Prix last September. Picture: Andrej Isakovic

Nicole shed some light on what it was like watching her son race at the highest level of motorsport, while speaking at the Race Against Dementia fundraising dinner.

“I am not at ease, but I am far more comfortable watching Formula 1 than (watching) Oscar racing in the other categories,” she said.

“It was much harder watching him Go Kart, for example.

“When he used to race in the lower categories I use to lose two or three kilos a weekend, but that was ok because it was only once a month or once every three weeks.

“But F1, it still makes me nervous, but … the level of ability is better, the cars are very safe, the world is watching and they are not 15-year-old teenage boys.”

Nicole attended the Race Against Dementia gala at the Ritz Carlton on Friday with her partner Tim Fletcher and former Australian Grand Prix CEO, Andrew Westacott, and his wife Tina, supporting Formula 1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart.

The sold our event featured appearances by David Coulthard, Damon Hill and Mark and Ann Webber. It was a superb evening.

Andrew and Tina Westacott with Nicole Piastri and Tim Fletcher. Picture: Supplied

Sir Jackie is leading a global push to find a cure for dementia and through the Race Against Dementia organisation is bringing Formula 1 thinking to the field of medical research.

Sir Jackie established the global charity Race Against Dementia in 2016 after his wife, Helen, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.

Inspired by his years in Formula 1, Race Against Dementia brings the speed, precision and innovation of elite motorsport to the fight against dementia. The charity aims to accelerate the search for prevention and cures for dementia by funding and mentoring the world’s most promising early-career scientists.

Nicole Piastri and Sir Jackie Stewart. Picture: Supplied

At 85, Sir Jackie remains a force to be reckoned with.

He first raced in Australia in 1967.

“The car broke down and I left the same night.

“Today we have racing drivers that are exclusive to Formula 1, in my day we all drove GP cars, American cars, Indy cars, every other car in the world it was the only way we made money.”

Sir Jackie paid tribute to his wife Helen who continues to battle dementia.

Find out more or donate at raceagainstdementia.com