ITALIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1
LENO (ITALY)
24-27/04/2025
The Italian National Championship finally kicked off in style at the now-iconic Leno Track, a venue that’s become a true staple of the racing calendar. Having recently hosted the Ielasi Trophy just a few weeks ago, the circuit welcomed Italy’s top drivers in an atmosphere charged with excitement and anticipation. Despite a weather-disrupted preseason, nearly all teams showed up well-prepared and ready to race on a track they know like the back of their hands.
One of the big changes for this edition: the introduction of handout tires, ensuring even more fairness and competitiveness. While the number of entrants wasn’t record-breaking, the quality of the field was sky-high, with all the major players in attendance. A standout statistic: 45% of the cars on track were IF18-3 models — a result we’re incredibly proud of.
From Thursday, the level of intensity was off the charts: serious practice runs, tight lap times, and the occasional rain shower keeping things unpredictable. But come Friday, the sun came out and conditions turned perfect — a real treat for everyone passionate about this hobby.
Qualifying in the PRO class saw a dominant 1-2 finish for our team, with Dario showing incredible pace and consistency, followed closely by Carmine in second. In the SPORT category, young Luca Ielasi put on a masterclass, winning the first three rounds and clinching TQ spot in style. With four drivers earning direct spots in the finals, all eyes turned to Sunday for the final verdicts.
Sunday’s semis brought more success: in the SPORT class, Filippo Bruno and Nadia Raiola advanced to the final, with Nadia making history by reaching her first-ever Italian Championship final. Well done, Nadia!
In the PRO semifinals, strong performances came from Francesco Tironi, Mattia Perego, and Marco Bianchi, while Lamberto stormed through the new LCQ (Last Chance Qualifier), another exciting rule introduced for 2025.
The SPORT final went according to script: Luca Ielasi held firm from pole, driving flawlessly to claim a well-deserved win. Joining him on the podium were Forgnoli and Romano, rounding off a high-caliber race.
But it was the PRO final that delivered peak drama. Dario and Carmine lit up the track from the start, setting a blistering pace that thrilled spectators. Unfortunately, Carmine suffered a flame-out and later had to retire around the 30-minute mark due to electrical issues. Lamberto, meanwhile, executed a smart, conservative strategy — managing tires and fuel to perfection — and clawed his way back up to a brilliant third-place finish, once again proving his veteran pedigree.
It was a fantastic weekend all around, with our team showing great cohesion, mutual support, and relentless pursuit of performance. Next stop? The grand finale in September, at the long-awaited return of the Fiorano facility under new management. Expect nothing less than an all-out showdown. See you there!
