After back-to-back rounds in Spain, the second in Barcelona, the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Europe now takes its August break before returning for the final two rounds that will decide the continental champions ahead of the Finali Mondiali.

Swiss showdown. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya delivered another chapter in the all-Swiss contest that has dominated this season’s Trofeo Pirelli. While Valencia smiled on Jasin Ferati (Emil Frey Racing), who put together an impressive streak of two wins, two poles, and two fastest laps, Felix Hirsiger (Ineco – Reparto Corse RAM) fought back at Barcelona. Although testing and free practice suggested Ferati was still on top form, Hirsiger won both races, helped by a penalty that forced his rival to start from the back in the second qualifying session. With two rounds to go, Hirsiger regained the championship lead, moving 11 points clear of Ferati, and the title fight looks increasingly like an all-Swiss affair.

Countdown to the finale. The Ferrari Challenge Europe returned to Barcelona after a five-year absence. The last edition held there, in 2020, featured the 488 Challenge Evo. Thomas Neubauer, now an official Prancing Horse driver, was the fastest in qualifying with the best time of 1’49”095. That was in line with the 1’48”681 set two years earlier by Nicklas Nielsen in the 488 Challenge. This year, however, Jasin Ferati’s 296 Challenge stopped the clock at 1’41”244, over six seconds faster than the previous one-make series cars. A similar gap appeared in the race, with Neubauer’s 1’49 benchmark beaten by Hirsiger’s 1’44.

Wide-open contests. While the Trofeo Pirelli is still defined by the tight Swiss duel between Hirsiger and Ferati, the other Ferrari Challenge classes remain highly competitive. However, a few clear favourites have started to emerge. With his two wins at Barcelona, Hendrik Viol (Scuderia Praha Racing) extended his lead at the top of the Trofeo Pirelli Am to 29 points over Michael Verhagen (Ferrari Warszawa) and 42 ahead of Marco Pulcini (Motor Service – Pinetti Motorsport). Manuela Gostner (Ineco – Reparto Corse RAM) is 27 points clear in the Coppa Shell standings, followed by John Dhillon (Formula Racing), who was penalised after finishing fourth in Race 2 at Barcelona.

Despite returning empty-handed from the second Catalan race, Sven Schömer (Penske Sportwagen Hamburg) maintains his lead in the Coppa Shell Am, 28 points ahead of Jan Sandmann and 36 in front of the ever-determined Andreas König (Emil Frey Racing). 

Everything is still to play for.

Chan on a mission. Hong Kong’s Charles Chan has a background as a driver in the APAC Ferrari Challenge series. However, this year he decided to test himself in Europe. After a challenging start, the Formula Racing driver has become increasingly confident with the car. Following two third-place finishes at Hockenheim in May, at Barcelona, he claimed second place and his first European victory. It may be too late to join the title contest, but Chan has shown clear progress that he will be looking to build on in the season finale.

Marzialetti, more than just a team manager. Gianmarco Marzialetti is undoubtedly one of the most upbeat and enthusiastic figures in the Ferrari Challenge Europe paddock. After a season as a driver, this dynamic man from Marche has now dedicated himself to developing new talent with his new outfit, Radicci Automobili – Sanasi Racing Team. Alternating between driving and his role as coach and team manager, Marzialetti continues to bring fresh talent to the fore. After putting second-generation racer Enzo Trulli behind the wheel of his car at Hockenheim and Valencia, he handed Argentine driver Franco Girolami his Ferrari debut at Barcelona. The Ascoli Piceno-born driver made a strong impression, particularly in Race 1, where a puncture on the final lap denied him a podium finish. Girolami’s Catalan weekend concluded with fifth- and sixth-place finishes. Marzialetti has already announced his intention to get back behind the wheel at the next round at Spa-Francorchamps, one of his favourite circuits. But September is still some way off: for now, happy holidays to all.