Matt Palfreyman claimed his first UIM F2 World Championship race win in Brindisi yesterday, marking his return to the series since last competing in 2017.

The British driver captured the silver medal back in 2015, and the talk in the paddock last night was whether he could go one better 9 years later and take gold.

Second to Palfreyman was Edgaras Riabko, who appears to be his biggest threat to that ambition. The Lithuanian is another quick driver who has never won a world championship but finished runner-up in 2020 and 2023.

Both drivers benefited in Italy, as 2024 championship rivals Giacomo Sacchi, Tobias Munthe-Kaas, Mansoor Al Mansoori, and Mathilda Wiberg left without a point, and reigning World Champion Rashed Al Qemzi took 5 points.

It sets up a fascinating contest in Tonsberg, Norway, at the beginning of next month.
Can the British and Lithuanian UIM F2 bridesmaids finally achieve their ultimate ambition?