ACI CI HYGT – Iemmulo crowned champion, Filippi wins again in GT3
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The Bahrain International Circuit hosted the penultimate round of the Italian LMU GT3 and Hypercar Championship, delivering another spectacular night in the desert of Sakhir.
Amid sand, reflections and strategy, the round delivered two major verdicts: Dario Iemmulo was crowned champion with one round to spare, while Guglielmo Filippi claimed his second win of the season in GT3 at the end of a race full of emotion and dramatic twists.
Hypercar — Iemmulo champion with one round to spare
After his triumph in Austin, Dario Iemmulo completes his climb to the title with a commanding performance in Bahrain.
Starting from the second row after a fiercely contested qualifying session (pole position for Marco Di Buono in 1:44.559), Iemmulo immediately took the lead, imposed his pace and controlled the race all the way to the chequered flag.
He completed the 34 laps in 1:01:18.658, ahead of Daniel Tudda (+6.8s) and Leonardo Pagano (+23.1s), in a race that never truly put his leadership into question.
Behind him, Di Buono endured a race that had to be rebuilt from the ground up: involved in a collision with Violo already at the second corner, he was forced to restart from the back of the field.
Despite the incident, he never gave up and pushed until the end, setting the fastest lap of the race (1:45.229) — a flash of class that, however, was not enough to postpone the celebrations.
With this victory, Iemmulo mathematically secures the title of 2025 Italian LMU Hypercar Champion, thanks to a consistent, flawless season rich in victories.
LMGT3 — Filippi capitalizes on the contact between Ruggiero and Bonaccorsi
The GT3 race delivered one of the most intense moments of the championship.
After securing pole position in 1:59.642, Marcello Bonaccorsi immediately found himself battling with Edoardo Ruggiero, in a duel of pace and tactical intelligence that held attention until mid-race.
The key moment came on the eighth lap, when Bonaccorsi, having just regained the lead after a decisive move at Turn 11, made contact with Ruggiero while trying to defend his position.
An incident with no clear fault, but with both cars damaged, which opened the door for Guglielmo Filippi, who was running third at the time and ready to seize the opportunity.
From that point on, Filippi managed the race with maturity, keeping his composure and bringing home his second win of the season, ahead of Bonaccorsi (+2.1s) and Mattia Panci (+7.0s).
Ruggiero, slowed by damage and a 5-second penalty, finished fourth, but still set the fastest lap of the category with a 2:00.425, confirming his superior race pace.
Behind them, Marasca, Puntorieri and Alfano completed the top seven, in a night that confirmed the balance and competitiveness of the GT3 class.
Race Direction — tension and drama in the desert
Sakhir delivered one of the most complex and tactical races of the season.
Between close contacts, difficult lapping situations and penalties handed out in both classes, Race Direction had its hands full, yet the race ultimately concluded without lingering controversy.
The on-track intensity reflects a championship that, with just one round remaining, remains fiercely contested and of the highest technical level.
Towards the Monza grand finale
With Iemmulo already champion in Hypercar and the GT3 title still wide open, the Italian LMU Championship prepares for its finale at the most iconic venue in motorsport: the Temple of Speed.
The appointment is set for Tuesday, 9 December 2025 at Monza, for the final and highly anticipated round of a season that has already written memorable chapters.