Jacopo Cimenes impressed in his first weekend in the TCR Europe series, with the MM Motorsport Honda driver challenging for pole position in qualifying, and then fighting his way back onto the podium in a challenging race on Saturday evening.

Cimenes was in a battle with series regular Ruben Volt for pole in the morning qualifying session, just missing out after losing pace at the end of his second run. In the race, the Italian lost two positions at the start, but managed to regain one in a tense battle with the rival Honda of Santiago Concepción, eventually making a successful pass for third at the start of the fifth lap.

From there, Cimenes cruised home to finish on the podium in his first ever race weekend in the series, a week after performing double duty at Monza, racing in both the Kumho FIA TCR World Tour and the TCR Italy championships.

“I’m so happy, it’s my first race and my first podium here in Italy, so it’s an amazing feeling,” said Cimenes. “I had a great fight with the other drivers right from the beginning, and I was able to find my pace in the race.

“I’m super-happy to have gained back the positions I lost at the start, and I'm delighted with the final result today, it’s a reward for the team for all the hard work they’ve done this weekend.”