Green Hybrid Cup 2015 at Imola

Judging by the training and qualifying sessions, few could have expected such turn of events, as the best circuit times were achieved by Carlo Casillo. In fact, he did manage to come second in race one, but any driver would tell you that coming second is worse than failing to finish at all. Palanti's victory came as a bit of a surprise, although it must be said he fully deserved his success.

© Green Hybrid CupOnce Paolo Palanti got to the lead, he kept it until the end of the race

Paolo Palanti was fifth in the qualifications, but took off outstandingly and immediately advanced to the second spot, right behind Casillo starting from the pole position. Palanti decided to attack and it paid off – he overtook Casillo and took the lead, also achieving the race's best lap time in the process, for which extra points are awarded. Spots three and four on the finish line were taken by junior drivers – Giulio Tommasin and Edoardo Tolfo, respectively.

Place seven in the first race was secured by Giuseppe Gulizia. This meant he would start from the second spot in race two, right behind Paolo Gnemmi. The latter took the pole position, because he was eighth in the first race and the rules state that the finishing order of the first eight drivers from race one is reversed as the starting order for race two. Just like Palanti before, Gulizia managed to advance from his second spot to take the lead and eventually win. Alberto Biraghi came close behind, having just overtaken Paolo Palanti, who thus finished third.

Young Edoardo Tolfo was fourth. Paolo Gnemmi, despite starting from the pole position, came fifth, before Giulio Tommasin. Thanks to his third spot in race one, the latter now leads the 2015 Green Hybrid Cup's overall standings, having collected 64 points throughout the season so far. He's followed by Edoardo Tolfo (59 points), Giuseppe Gulizia (56 points), Paolo Gnemmi (52 points) and Jacopo Lombardelli (44 points). Clearly, this year's edition of the series belongs to the young.

The next round is set to take place at the picturesque circuit located around Lake Pergusa in Sicily on July 25-26.