Bruno Senna is the winner of the 2012 Lorenzo Bandini Trophy, given to a driver who shows great potential at the start of his (or her, although I don’t think that’s applied yet) career.
I know, I’m thinking the same thing: He’s a late bloomer, but still, I guess “early” in his career is still “early.”
Past winners include Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher.
“It’s a great honour to receive the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy, particularly when you consider the excellent racing drivers that have been awarded it in the past,” Senna in a PR statement. “I would like to thank the people of Brisighella for their kind support and generosity as well as all of those who have helped me in my career so far.”
He’ll be given the award on July 15. The award is named, of course, after the great Italian driver who died at the 1967 Monaco Grand Prix.
We’ve seen this year as the BBC has included current drivers, well a current driver, in its list of the 20 greatest F1 drivers. This award strikes me as having a similar feel to Lewis Hamilton’s being included in the BBC’s list — only its organic to the award. It’s a guess, as it judges a driver solely by the first stages of a career.
Does Bruno seem a good recipient to you? Is there another driver out there who maybe you’d give it to ahead of Bruno? And, looking ahead, is Romain Grosjean in a good spot to get the award next year? Pastor Maldonado? Sergio Perez?
I suppose this is a way of asking: Who do you think is the most promising young driver out there?
