Photo: TCR Italy

Nicolas Taylor dominates red-flagged Misano finale to claim 2025 TCR Italy title

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PMA Motorsport driver Nicolas Taylor (Audi) controlled the final TCR Italy race of the season at Misano to claim the victory, clinching his second consecutive title.

Matteo Poloni (Audi) made a slow start from pole position, handing the lead to Taylor ahead of Hyundai drivers Alex Ley and Michele Imberti.

Pietro Alessi (Audi) settled in fourth place, followed by Cupra driver Cosimo Barberini and Audi’s Nicola Baldan.

Pietro Alessi went wide on lap two after braking too late, falling down the order from fourth place.

Nicola Baldan came under attack from BRC Racing’s Gabriele Covini on lap three in the fight for fourth place. Two laps later, Imberti attacked and overtook Ley for second place.

The safety car was called into action at the end of lap five as Giacomo Prandelli and Sandro Pellati collided. The race was red-flagged two laps later as the barriers were damaged.

The race was restarted behind the safety car after 15 minutes, with 12 minutes plus one lap left on the clock. Covini received a ten-second time-penalty for jumping the start.

The race went green again on lap eleven, with Taylor leading ahead of Imberti and Ley.

Honda driver Michal Bartoszuk retired from the race due to a technical issue on lap ten while Imberti had a fire in his Hyundai Elantra N TCR three laps later, handing third to Baldan.

Taylor as the chequered flag fell ahead of Ley and Baldan. Alessi was fourth, followed by Pellegrini.

Alberto Bocca was sixth, followed by fellow Audi driver Denis Babuin. Barberini finished eighth, with Gabriele Covini ninth after the time-penalty was applied. Sandro Pelatti completed the top ten.

“I don’t have words to express how I feel, I’m very thankful to my team because we have done a great season,” said Taylor after the race. “It’s still early to know what I will do next year, I only know that I will continue in TCR.”

Nicolas Taylor has won his second TCR Italy crown in a row on 425 points, 29 ahead of Baldan and 82 over Alex Ley.