2026 | Eurocup-3 | Imola | Race 1 | Eyckmans inherits the Race 1 victory after Dall'Agnol is penalised

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Palou Motorsport’s Heitor Dall’Agnol claimed his maiden 2026 Eurocup-3 race victory in Race 1 of the Imola Round. However, post race he recieved a 5-second time penalty for forcing Keanu Al Al Azhari off track, with Ean Eyckmans inheriting the win.

Friday’s Qualifying 1 session saw James Egozi claim pole position, with the Palou Motorsport driver lining up alongside teammate Heitor Dall’Agnol on the front row. Keanu Al Azhari started third, sharing the second row with Ean Eyckmans.

Drama unfolded on the opening lap when Christopher El Feghali was involved in contact with another car, bringing out the Safety Car soon afterwards. Rafaël Pérard and Yani Stevenheydens both headed to the pit lane under the neutralisation, with Pérard changing tyres before rejoining, while Stevenheydens retired from the race. Alceu Feldmann also endured a difficult start, dropping several positions off the line.

When racing resumed, Egozi led teammate Dall’Agnol away to maintain a Palou Motorsport 1-2. The restart was clean, with the field making it through the opening corners without further incident as the clock ticked down to 24 minutes remaining.

Another safety car for Trappa and Harrison

However, the race was neutralised once again following a collision involving Bart Harrison and Genaro Trappa.

Harrison attempted a move on Trappa into Turn 1, but was unable to slow his Double R Racing car sufficiently for the corner. After bouncing over the kerb, Harrison made contact with Trappa, sending the latter into the barriers while Harrison’s car rolled into the middle of the circuit, prompting another Safety Car to retrieve Trappa’s vehicle.

On the second restart, Egozi and Dall’Agnol moved clear of the rest of the pack, but further back, Al Azhari ran wide and through the gravel, but once he rejoined, Pradel attempted to avoid Al Azhari, also running wide into the next section of gravel, but both drivers were able to continue running. Al Azhari had part of his front endplate broken from contact, dropping down the order and heading into the pits for a front wing change.

Sztuka and Heuzenroeder were locked in a battle for fifth, with Sztuka applying constant pressure to the Griffin Core by Campos driver. Behind them, Thomas Strauven was fighting Enzo Tarnvanichkul, but a trip through the gravel after putting two wheels off the circuit cost the Belgian several positions, dropping him to 10th.

On Lap 8, Sztuka’s persistence paid off as he completed the move on Heuzenroeder to move into fifth place.

Further down the order, there was plenty of action as several drivers battled for position. Bart Harrison attempted another ambitious overtake, forcing Edouard Borgna to take avoiding action. Borgna ran through the gravel but managed to keep the car going and rejoined the race without losing control.

Race leader Egozi stops at the top of the hill

Out of nowhere, race leader Egozi slowed dramatically with an apparent loss of power in his Palou Motorsport car, prompting a third Safety Car with just seven minutes remaining. Although Egozi was able to briefly get the car moving again, he pulled into the pit entry, where the stricken machine was pushed clear as he was forced to retire from the race.

With three minutes left on the clock, Dall’Agnol led the field away for the third restart, ahead of Eyckmans and Heuzenroeder. Behind them, Powell made a decisive move on Heuzenroeder to take third, while Sztuka also piled on the pressure in the fight for fourth.

Further back, Pérard attempted an overtake but ran wide into the gravel, dropping to the back of the field after losing several positions.

At the chequered flag, Dall’Agnol secured victory in Race 1, with Eyckmans finishing second and Powell completing the podium in third, making it an all-rookie top three. With Dall’Agnol’s penalty, he dropped to P3 in Race 1.