02/09/2013
NEWS STORY
Receiving a special career achievement award from the sister of Italian racer Lorenzo Bandini, Felipe Massa admits that he is used to speculation over his future.
The Lorenzo Bandini Trophy - Trofeo Lorenzo Bandini - is awarded each year in memory of the Italian racer who perished in a horrendous accident at Monaco in 1967.
Established in 1992 by Bandini's hometown of Brisighella, and awarded to an outstanding figure from the world of motor racing, previous recipients have included Jacques Villeneuve, Luca di Montezemolo, Michael Schumacher, Kimi Raikkonen, Robert Kubica, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel.
This year the award was presented to the son of the founder of Ferrari, Piero Ferrari. Receiving the award today on behalf of the Vice President was Massimo Rivola who was accompanied by chief designer Simone Resta, who was awarded the Fonderie Morini Gold Medal, as well as Massa, who was also honoured, receiving a special career achievement award from Bandini's sister, Gabriella.
"It is an honour and a pleasure to receive this recognition," said Felipe, a previous recipient of the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy. "I was already here in 2007 and I was able to appreciate the passion that drives the organisers of such a prestigious award aimed at all us drivers. I am proud to be here representing Ferrari in the year of the twenty fifth anniversary of the death of Enzo: if he had not created the most famous car company and brand in the world, we would not be here. It would have been wonderful to have known him personally."
Looking ahead to this weekend's Italian Grand Prix, he added: "Let's hope this award brings us luck, because Monza is a special point in the season, where we must get a good result. For me, this is a second home race after the one in Brazil: my family originally comes from Italy, so I have a special feeling for this event. The support one gets from the fans is fantastic and we really hope we can give them something to cheer about. In Belgium, the F138 was better than in previous races and we hope the updates we will have at the track can help us make a further step forward, both in the race and in qualifying, not just in Monza, but for the rest of the season."
Inevitably, the topic of his own future cropped up, many speculating that the Brazilian will make way for Kimi Raikkonen or Nico hulkenberg.
"I'm used to this situation, as it's been like this since I started my career," he joked. "The rumours mean nothing, all that matters is the faith the team has in me and I feel that very strongly. I know I must have a better second half of the season, after a first one where unfortunately, the results were lacking in some races, but the performance has always been up there. I think I still have a very strong chance of staying with Ferrari."