2025 ELMS 4 Hours of Imola: Red-Flag Incident Overshadows Early Action
The 2025 European Le Mans Series (ELMS) 4 Hours of Imola has been halted due to a significant multi-car incident at the Tamburello chicane shortly after the race began.
The collision occurred when Martin Berry, driving the pole-sitting Iron Lynx Mercedes-AMG GT3, made contact with Mike Wainwright’s GR Racing Ferrari 296. After being impeded by a spinning RLR Ligier at Tosa, Berry’s car clipped Wainwright’s Ferrari, sending it into a spin and into the path of both Berry and the #57 Kessel Ferrari of Takeshi Kimura. The chain reaction was completed by the #28 IDEC Sport ORECA of Paul Lafargue, resulting in all four cars retiring from the race.
Race control initially deployed the safety car but quickly opted for a full red flag due to the extent of the damage and required cleanup. Fortunately, all four drivers emerged unscathed.
The race is set to restart behind the safety car at 13:05 local time. Despite the red flag, the race clock will continue, extending the overall duration by approximately 20 minutes, as confirmed by race director Eduardo Freitas.
As of the latest update, the #43 Inter Europol Competition ORECA, piloted by Kuba Smiechowski, is in the lead. In LMP2 Pro/Am, Sergio Sette Camara holds the top position for Nielsen Racing. The #17 CLX Ligier is leading in LMP3, while the #50 Richard Mille AF Corse Ferrari has taken the lead in LMGT3.
Further developments will be closely monitored as the race resumes.
