Williams driver Bruno Senna is the 2012 winner of the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy, and will receive his award at a ceremony in the Italian town of Brisighella on 15th July.

Established in 1992, The Lorenzo Bandini Trophy is awarded in memory of the Italian racing driver who lost his life in an infamous accident at Monaco in 1967.

Bandini, whose hometown was Brisighella, near Imola, contested 42 Grands Prix over seven seasons, all but seven of them in a Ferrari. Though he won only one Grand Prix (Austria 1964), he enjoyed seven other podium finishes and numerous Sports Car wins including Le Mans.

Senna is the 19th recipient of the award, which is traditionally awarded to a driver who has shown great promise at the beginning of their career, with past winners including Jacques Villeneuve, Michael Schumacher, Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton.

''It's a great honour to receive the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy," said Senna on being told of the award, "particularly when you consider the excellent racing drivers that have been awarded it in the past. 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. I'm very much looking forward to the prize giving ceremony next month, which promises to be a great event.''

All of which beggars the question; if Bruno won, who was second or, dare we ask, third on the list of nominees.