Felice Jelmini wins first Imola race behind the safety car

Felice Jelmini managed to finally claim his first TCR Italy championship win in Imola Race 1. The PMA Motorsport has been stripped of the win twice earlier this season.

The Hyundai driver headed the race from lights to flag, with the field taking the chequered flag behind the safety car as Francesca Raffaele spun off track on the penultimate lap.

Jelmini won the race ahead of manufacturer colleague Damiano Reduzzi, with Eric Brigliadori of BF Motorsport climbing to third position from 13th on the grid, taking over the points lead.

The race was started behind the safety car due to an earlier rain shower, with Reduzzi snatching second place from Honda driver Jacopo Guidetti on the opening lap.

Macedonian Igor Stefanovski made his way past Cupra León Competición driver Salvatore Tavano for fourth position on lap four and managed to pass Guidetti two laps later for third.

But the joy was short lived for the Hyundai driver who made a mistake at the Rivazza 2 corner to bury his car in the gravel, forcing the safety car on track.

Former championship leader Marco Pellegrini dropped down to finish 20th following contact with another driver on the opening lap.

Jelmini won the race ahead of Reduzzi, Brigliadori and Gudetti. Mauro Guastamacchia and Tavano rounded off the top six.

The second race of the weekend starts at 11:30 CEST tomorrow.