Robert Kubica is revved up for the unique challenge presented by the Monaco Grand Prix next weekend – and in preparation for the celebrated jewel in F1's crown, he will be travelling to Italy to pick up a very special accolade.
The Pole is to receive the coveted Lorenzo Bandini Trophy, awarded each year to an outstanding figure from the world of motorsport. Previous recipients have included F1 world champions
Michael Schumacher,
Fernando Alonso,
Kimi Raikkonen and Jacques Villeneuve, as well as grand prix winners
David Coulthard,
Felipe Massa, Juan-Pablo Montoya,
Jarno Trulli and
Giancarlo Fisichella. Former Sauber team principal Peter Sauber is also due to pick up an award on the day, for lifetime achievement.
To collect his trophy, Kubica will drive his BMW-Sauber
F1.08 the eleven kilometres from Faenza to Brisighella in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, and it will clearly be an emotional moment for him.
"This is a big honour for me," explained the 23-year-old, who spent much of his formative racing career competing in Italy, "and it comes as a surprise given the rather disappointing season I had in 2007. It's great that some people seem to believe in me and my abilities.
"I am particularly pleased that this award also has to do with my performance off the race track, and that attitudes and actions that I don't really stop to think about have earned me an award like this. I'm really looking forward to the drive, too. That will be the icing on the cake!"
Beyond that, Kubica will be aiming to continue his fine form in the 2008 campaign to-date, by adding to the brace of rostrum finishes he has notched up from the opening five grands prix with a strong run around the tortuous streets of the Principality. He finished fifth in Monaco last year – in front of team-mate
Nick Heidfeld, who had qualified marginally ahead of him – and currently sits an impressive fourth in the drivers' title chase, just four points adrift of second.
