Riccardo Ianniello Monza Recap: A Debut That Sounded Like a Statement Riccardo Ianniello Monza Recap: A Debut That Sounded Like a Statement
McLaren Trophy Europe

Riccardo Ianniello Monza Recap: A Debut That Sounded Like a Statement

Autodromo Nazionale Monza 🇮🇹 June 02, 2026 1 min read
Circuit Autodromo Nazionale Monza 🇮🇹
Series McLaren Trophy Europe
Driver Riccardo Ianniello
Team Target Racing

There is a moment when a debut stops being a debut and becomes a statement of intent. For Riccardo Ianniello, that moment came at Monza, Round 1 of the McLaren Trophy Europe 2026. Pole position. Victory in Race 2. A podium in Race 1. And the "Best Driver of the Weekend" award to close it all out. First weekend in the series, and the paddock already knows his name.
Riccardo shares the Target Racing McLaren Artura Trophy Evo with Estonian driver Gregor Jeets, and the weekend was built from Thursday onwards: free practice spent dialling in the setup, running stint simulations and finding a rhythm between the two drivers. From the first installation laps the pace was there. The chemistry would prove decisive.


Race Highlights


Race Highlights
Race 1: from P6 to the podium. Jeets qualified the McLaren sixth on a stacked entry list and delivered a clean opening stint, handing the car to Riccardo in fifth. Riccardo left nothing to chance. Relentless pace and clinical overtaking carried him through the order to third under the chequered flag. A trophy on the crew's very first race weekend in the series.
Race 2: pole, fightback, victory. On Sunday, Riccardo hooked up a lap of the highest calibre to take pole position. A sluggish getaway cost him two places into the first corners, and the response told you everything about the driver: blistering lap times, decisive passes and ice-cold racecraft brought the McLaren back to the front before the pit window. Jeets took over, managed the lead with composure, and when a red flag stopped the race early, the Target Racing McLaren was exactly where it had been all afternoon. In front. Maiden victory, sealed by flawless teamwork.

Two Awards to Cap It
Riccardo was named "Best Driver of the Weekend" and Target Racing collected "Best Team of the Weekend." From the pit wall to the cockpit, from Thursday's first session to the final flag, everything clicked.


Looking Ahead

What Comes Next
Four rounds remain: Spa-Francorchamps, Misano, Barcelona and Portimão. The championship is far from settled, but after Monza one thing is clear. Riccardo Ianniello is not here to make up the numbers. He is here to fight for the top step.
And we'll be watching every lap.

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About This Race

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Ambassador

Riccardo Ianniello

Born in Marino, just outside Rome, Riccardo Ianniello has been chasing speed since the age of five. What began in a small kart soon grew into a decorated career: Italian ACI Karting Champion, Rok World Title holder, and one of the most promising talents selected by ACI Sport Federal School. By 16, Riccardo had already stepped into GT racing with Lamborghini Roma by DL Racing, making history as the youngest Italian GT champion and joining the Lamborghini Young Driver Program.

Racing Team

Target Racing

Target Racing Team was born in january 1997 to combine the many experiences in the best motor-racing categories (Formula 1, Formula Indy, Formula 3000), the passion and the spirit of enterprise of the founder, Roberto Venieri.

Championship

McLaren Trophy Europe

Same car, same setup, no excuses. The McLaren Trophy Europe puts identical Arturas on Spa, Monza, the 'Ring, Brands Hatch and Paul Ricard, five weekends, ten races, no aero edge or budget gap to hide behind. Pro, Pro-Am and Am share the grid, with mandatory mid-race driver changes levelling everything that isn't talent. GT racing stripped to what actually matters.

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