Grapevine: Kubica to receive Bandini Trophy

The Pole has had a fine start to the season with two podiums in three races and his maiden pole position at last week's Bahrain Grand Prix.

The trophy, now in its fifteenth edition, is given out by the village of Brisighella, near Imola, in memory of local driver Lorenzo Bandini, who died in a fiery crash at the wheel of a Ferrari in the 1967 Monaco Grand Prix.

The trophy organizers have also pointed out Kubica's likability, modesty, his love for Italy, and his ability in speaking Italian as reasons for the award, which will be handed out in Brisighella on May 18, one week before the Monaco GP.

Previous winners include world champions Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso, Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve, while the last two editions honoured Felipe Massa and Mark Webber.

Also awarded will be former team principal Peter Sauber, who remained at BMW Sauber as a consultant.