Gabriele Covini’s podium celebrations were among the most dramatic in the series’ history, as the Italian celebrated his first career podium even more heavily than most winners, and the BRC Racing Team driver is looking forward to the rest of the season.

After two years in TCR Italy, despite strong pace and two pole positions, the 20-year-old has never finished on the podium until the first race at Mugello. Qualifying in second place, he was passed by the rival Hyundai of Junesung Park on the first lap, but kept pressuring the South Korean driver, all the while facing pressure from behind from both the Hondas of Mike Halder and later Max Hart during the race.

“It’s my first podium in TCR, so like the value is even bigger,” said Covini.

“In the second race I was in the top ten, I was fighting to get some points, but then at the first corner I was hit at the back and then my race was finished. It doesn’t mean this weekend was bad, as I was running at the front all the time, and Race 1 is one of my greatest feelings ever, so I cannot wait until the next race.

“It gives me a lot of confidence going into the next races, as there are a lot of tracks that are new for me. I really can’t wait to be back on the grid, and the championship is very open this year.”