On May 14th, in Brisighella, the 32nd edition of the Bandini Trophy will take place, a prestigious award dedicated to Ferrari driver Lorenzo Bandini, who tragically passed away in 1967 during the Monaco Grand Prix.
The prize, which has been awarded since 1992 to prominent figures in Formula 1, will this year be presented to McLaren’s Australian driver Oscar Piastri, considered one of the most promising emerging talents in the top tier of motorsport.
Oscar Piastri, who currently leads the F1 World Drivers’ Championship with 131 points thanks to four wins in the first six Grands Prix of the season, was chosen for his extraordinary contribution to the campaign, where he is challenging Max Verstappen’s dominance with a highly competitive McLaren.
Details of the event featuring Oscar Piastri
Oscar Piastri will land at Forlì Airport at 15:20, with travel organized by the event sponsors, and will be transferred by helicopter to Faenza. From there, he will head to Brisighella, with arrival scheduled in Piazzetta Porta Gabolo at 16:45. At Palazzo Metelli, he will meet representatives of the Australian embassy, local authorities, and a group of individuals with disabilities. The award ceremony will be held at 18:00 at the Rocca Veneziana in Brisighella.
In addition to Piastri, other honorees will include:
Riccardo Ceccarelli, doctor and CEO of Formula Medicine
Davide Nicelli, young rally driver
Giulia Toninelli, journalist at Gazzetta dello Sport
Gianluca Gafforio, journalist at Rai Sport
Mario Isola, director of Pirelli Motorsport
Carlo Dall’Oppio, honorary national commander of the Fire Department
The Bandini Trophy, created to honor the driver from San Cassiano di Brisighella, has previously been awarded to nine world champions, including Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, and Max Verstappen, earning a reputation as a “lucky charm” in the sport.
The event, supported by the municipalities of Brisighella, Faenza, and Imola, is part of the Motor Valley of Emilia-Romagna. This year, the connection with the local area is further strengthened with a renewed format that emphasizes spontaneity and authenticity, qualities attributed to Bandini. Faenza will host a special moment dedicated to the driver, while Brisighella will serve as the main venue for the ceremony.
The Australian driver has Italian roots, with his great-grandfather coming from Licciana Nardi, a small town in the province of Massa-Carrara. On this occasion, he will meet a delegation from the Tuscan town led by Mayor Renzo Martelloni.
Cultural and sporting significance of the Bandini Trophy
The Bandini Trophy is not just a sporting event but also an opportunity to celebrate the passion for motorsport and the strong bond with the Romagna region. The event, which attracts fans and international media, promotes Brisighella as one of the most charming villages in the Motor Valley and pays tribute to a driver who left a lasting mark on F1 history.
The 2025 edition is shaping up to be a moment of celebration and reflection, with an eye toward the future of motorsport and the legacy of Lorenzo Bandini.
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