GT4 Italy Series Race 1

The GT4 Italy Series opened today's racing at Imola with a fast and action-packed contest that featured early overtakes, multiple Safety Car periods and a dramatic reversal of fortune for the weekend’s most dominant car.

Zanin (#5) started from pole, with Fant in second (#11), with Frizza (#3) completing the top three. Bastos (#68), meanwhile, faced a much tougher task from 17th on the grid.

The opening laps immediately delivered action, with several drivers making moves down the main straight. Ziccardi and Sandrucci battled fiercely for fifth, while further back Bastos suffered a full spin at Turn 11, bringing out yellow flags. Arfini (#75) subsequently skidded into the gravel, prompting double yellows as recovery operations got underway.

Zanin maintained control at the front, with Fant staying within around three-tenths. The first Safety Car was deployed on Lap 3, bunching the field together before racing resumed. By Lap 5, both Arfini and Bastos were a lap down and ultimately out of contention.

Frizza made his move on Fant on Lap 6, climbing into second, although Zanin continued to pull away at the front. The pole-sitter was enjoying an exceptional opening stint, building an advantage that reached 14 seconds.

Behind the leader, the fight for position remained intense. Gavazza (#65) and Ziccardi (#7) battled for fifth on Lap 9, with Ziccardi holding firm. Later, Lasagni (#7) and Tocci (#11) went wheel-to-wheel for ninth, with slight contact adding to the drama.

The race changed complexion around the mandatory driver changes. Zanin came into the pits on Lap 14 to hand the car over to Costernaro, emerging still in P1. Frizza also set the fastest lap before the driver-change sequence reshuffled the order.

After the stops, Costernaro, Rocca and Lasagni emerged as the top three, setting up a fresh battle for the lead. A yellow flag at Turn 4 on Lap 16 was followed shortly afterwards by another major interruption when Anastopoulo (#8) spun and stopped on track, bringing out the Safety Car on Lap 17.

Racing resumed on Lap 18, with Lasagni and Rocca immediately going side-by-side. The fight behind was equally aggressive, with drivers continuing to make bold moves as the field compressed.

One of the most dramatic moments came during the battle for the lead. Costernaro was subjected to a double overtake, dropping behind both Rocca and Lasagni before falling dramatically down the order to sixth. It was a hugely disappointing second stint for a team that had appeared to dominate much of the weekend up to that point.

Further drama followed when Rocca (#3) ran off track and into the gravel, triggering another yellow flag at Turn 16. Lodi (#11) and Tocci (#14) also engaged in a close battle, with Tocci successfully defending his position.

Race control remained busy late on. Trentin (#52) was repeatedly shown the black flag with orange disc for a mechanical issue before finally pitting on Lap 21. Lasagni was also handed a warning for track-limit abuse, while team manager Maman (#16) was called to report.

The final laps featured more close racing, including a battle for seventh between Esposito (#65) and Palazzo (#27), but the front positions were ultimately settled.

Lasagni took the victory, with Maman finishing second and Lodi completing the podium. Tocci and Massa followed, while Costernaro could only manage sixth after his difficult second stint.

For much of the race, Zanin looked set to convert pole into a dominant victory. Instead, the driver-change sequence and a chaotic second half completely transformed the contest, handing Lasagni the top step in a race defined by strategy, pressure and late-race drama.