Robert Kubica will drive his BMW Sauber 11 kilometres on public roads on Sunday before collecting the Lorenzo Bandini award.

The Pole won the prize, handed annually to an up-and-coming driver, and will take to the streets for the journey from Faenza to Brisighella near Bologna in northern Italy.

Former winners include Michael Schumacher, Kimi Raikkonen, Jacques Villeneuve and Felipe Massa.

Kubica said he did not expect to win the award after a 2007 season that saw him come sixth in the championship with 39 points. He also survived a horrifying crash at the Canadian GP.

"This is a big honour for me, and it comes as a surprise given the rather disappointing season I had in 2007," the 23-year-old said.

"It's great that some people seem to believe in me and my abilities. I am particularly pleased that this award also has to do with my 'performance' off the race track, and that attitudes and actions that I don't really stop to think about have earned me an award like this. I'm really looking forward to the drive, too. That will be the icing on the cake!"

Kubica claimed fifth place at Monaco last season, and is in confident mood ahead of next weekend's trip to Monte Carlo.

"I am really looking forward to Monaco. I was very strong there in 2007 and I am a big fan of narrow street circuits with barriers right next to the track," he said.

"Monaco is one of these tight and narrow circuits. There are three or four really nice corners like the swimming pool chicane or the Casino section.

"The track is quite tricky to understand and it is not easy to find the right set-up of the car in Monaco. Without traction control it will be an even bigger challenge to drive there.

"We will have to see how our car suits the track. I hope this works at least as well as last year and I expect a good result."

Alex Chick / Eurosport