“Today would have been Lorenzo’s 86th birthday. He left when he was 31, he was handsome as a God. I can’t imagine him as he could have been now, I imagine him with a nice head of white hair, a man still handsome because he cared about physical shape. And I’m sure that at this moment he is here among those who remember him and is not around doing his bullshit “. The 28th edition of the Bandini Trophy thus opened with the colorful memory of Margherita Bandini who, beyond the well-worn 83 years, wanted to be present and reward Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of F1, and Massimo Rivola, CEO of Aprilia Racing.
The mayor of Brisighella welcomes Stefano Domenicali and Massimo Rivola to the Municipality
Photo by: Franco Nugnes
In Brisighella the traditional audience frame was missing due to COVID-19, but the award ceremony organized by Franco Assirelli attracted great attention to the caliber of the two characters.
Domenicali arrived in Romagna with a Carabinieri helicopter, while Rivola followed the F1 Safety Car driven by Bernd Maylander and the Lamborghini of the Traffic Police who created a procession that started from Faenza.
“When we talk about Brisighella – explains Domenicali -, we are talking about a city close to where I was born, so I feel like home. I am honored by the award for the simple fact that I know who has won it in past years and, therefore, I know I am lucky. . When I started my adventure in Ferrari in 1991 I could never have imagined being here today. I feel the responsibility of what I am doing and what I will have to do in the future, compared to what I have achieved in the past “.
“This is the way of thinking that my family has always taught me. I am happy because together with Massimo, who is here with me and who lived with me the period in Ferrari, we have experienced extraordinary moments, difficult moments, moments that have made us grow as people and as men of sport. For me it is also a great opportunity to return to my homeland at a time when I live in London and the distances have grown. It is a great honor to have my parents here to whom I dedicate the award. And then I remember with emotion when I came to accompany Schumacher right here … “.
![The gentlemen of Stefano Domenicali present at the award ceremony of the Bandini Trophy](https://cdn-1.motorsport.com/images/mgl/YBeaNe72/s8/la-premiazione-trofeo-bandini-1.jpg)
The gentlemen of Stefano Domenicali present at the award ceremony of the Bandini Trophy
Photo by: Franco Nugnes
Massimo Rivola is also thrilled: “It really makes me kind to be on this side of the table. As Stefano said, I know who won the prize in the past and it was usually me who accompanied the drivers. And, in fact, today I feel as if I had come here to follow Stefano. Being here with him is a great satisfaction for me because it is the recognition of all the work done. We often think that people do not realize the amount of work we do, then when there are days like today, all of them emotions come to the surface “.
![Massimo Rivola receives the Bandini Trophy in Brisighella](https://cdn-4.motorsport.com/images/mgl/0L1nk1g2/s8/la-premiazione-trofeo-bandini-1.jpg)
Massimo Rivola receives the Bandini Trophy in Brisighella
Photo by: Franco Nugnes
“As for Aprilia, I must say that the team has grown. We are a company that believes in MotoGP, but we don’t want to take the longest steps, but we want to take them in the right direction. We are convinced that in 2022 we will be able to grow further “.
We remind Massimo that the Bandini Trophy has always brought good to young award-winning riders, so it cannot be ruled out that Aprilia manages to take home its first MotoGP victory in 2022.
![Nadia Padovani, wife of Fausto Gresini, at the award ceremony of the Bandini Trophy](https://cdn-9.motorsport.com/images/mgl/2QznkzmY/s8/la-premiazione-trofeo-bandini-1.jpg)
Nadia Padovani, wife of Fausto Gresini, at the award ceremony of the Bandini Trophy
Photo by: Franco Nugnes
![Matteo Bonciani at the Bandini Trophy award ceremony](https://cdn-2.motorsport.com/images/mgl/YP3nk3e2/s8/la-premiazione-trofeo-bandini-1.jpg)
Matteo Bonciani at the Bandini Trophy award ceremony
Photo by: Franco Nugnes
![Commissioner Stefano Stefanini awarded at the Bandini Trophy: he had followed the whole Senna case](https://cdn-5.motorsport.com/images/mgl/YW7Jk75Y/s8/la-premiazione-trofeo-bandini-1.jpg)
Commissioner Stefano Stefanini awarded at the Bandini Trophy: he had followed the whole Senna case
Photo by: Franco Nugnes
Other personalities in the 2021 edition of the Bandini Trophy received recognition: Bernd Mayländer, F1 Safety Car driver, Matteo Bonciani, who left the FIA communication department and Jarno Zaffelli, architect who redesigned Zandvoort and Abu Dhabi.
In the world of two wheels, Nadia Padovani, wife of Fausto Gresini representing her son Luca, received the award. Nice that someone remembered Stefano Stefanini, the police commissioner who followed the investigation linked to the death of Ayrton Senna.
Among the emerging drivers, Matteo Nannini was chosen, who raced in F2 and F3 and who could land at Indycar next year. Among the journalists were Umberto Zapelloni (TopSpeed Blog), Giusto Ferronato (Gazzetta dello Sport) and Davide Camicioli (TV8).
![The F1 Safety Car in Brisighella with the Lamborghi of the Traffic Police](https://cdn-3.motorsport.com/images/mgl/0JBnkBA0/s8/la-premiazione-trofeo-bandini-1.jpg)
The F1 Safety Car in Brisighella with the Lamborghi of the Traffic Police
Photo by: Franco Nugnes
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