Tavano inherits victory in Imola’s shortened Race 1

TCR Italy’s reigning champion Salvatore Tavano claimed his first victory of the season at Imola in a Race 1 that was shortened by the red flag due to pouring rain. Actually Tavano crossed the finishing line behind Igor Stefanovski, who had taken the lead during the sixth lap, but the Macedonian driver was classified tenth having received two 5-second penalties.
At the start, Bettera from the third spot of the grid, was faster than pole sitter Matteo Greco and Stefanovski who was sharing the front row. The Audi driver kept Stefanovski at bay, while Greco and Marco Pellegrini moved up to third and fourth ahead of Tavano.
On lap 2, both Pellegrini and Tavano passed Greco while a light rain began to fall.
On lap 5, the safety car was deployed to remove Peter Gross’ CUPRA from the gravel; Stefanovski was informed of the first 5-second penalty for a grid position infringement.
When racing resumed, Tavano overtook Pellegrini for third, then Stefanovski dived inside Bettera at the Acque Minerali; as their cars made contact, Stefanovski took the lead, but the incident resulted in another 5-second penalty for him. On lap 7, Tavano overtook Bettera for second and Greco passed Pellegrini for fourth.
The rain intensified and the safety car was deployed again because all cars were on slick tyres. Soon afterwards, Bettera had to pit with a flat front tyre. After a couple of laps behind the safety car, the race control waved the red flag. And so, Tavano was declared the winner, from Greco and Pellegrini.
The latter has retained the leadership in the standings, but his margin has been reduced to three points over the pair of Tavano and Greco.
Race 2 will start Sunday at 14:50 local time (CET), with Davide Nardilli’s Honda Civic on pole position; live streaming at www.tcr-series.com and www.tcr-series.tv.

Race 1
1. Salvatore Tavano (Scuderia del Girasole, CUPRA), 9 laps
2. Matteo Greco (Scuderia del Girasole, CUPRA), 0.505
3. Marco Pellegrini (Target Competition, Hyundai i30 N TCR), 1.275
4. Eric Scalvini (Scuderia del Girasole, CUPRA DSG), 1.687
5. Jacopo Guidetti (BF Motorsport, Audi RS 3 LMS), 2.211

Championship points
1. Pellegrini 53 pts; 2. Tavano 50; 3. Greco 50