The Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Europe unfolded at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia, marking the halfway point of the season. The event took place under extreme weather conditions, with air temperatures exceeding 35 degrees Celsius and track temperatures reaching up to 61 degrees. Despite these challenges, drivers across all four classes delivered intense performances as they vied for victory and championship standings.
Jasin Ferati from Emil Frey Racing emerged as a standout performer over the weekend. He surpassed fellow Swiss driver Felix Hirsiger from Ineco – Reparto Corse RAM in the Trofeo Pirelli standings. Ferati’s prowess was evident during testing and confirmed during official sessions. He set a record-breaking qualifying time of 1’31”909, making him the only driver to break the 1’32” barrier. His dominance continued with an unchallenged race win and another strong performance in Race-2, where he clocked a best lap of 1’33”609.
The ninth car produced for Ferrari’s one-make series, the 296 Challenge, proved its capabilities by setting faster times than its predecessors. Jasin Ferati’s times at Valencia were notably quicker compared to past performances by other drivers such as Louis Prette and Niccolò Schirò in previous years.
Ferrari also showcased their simulator setup at Valencia, which was open to paddock guests and Ferrari Challenge drivers alike. This setup sparked discussions among attendees, including Scuderia Ferrari HP Esports driver Ismael Fahssi from Valencia. Fahssi recently joined Ferrari’s ranks for the upcoming F1 Esports Championship.
With three rounds remaining in the championship, no class has yet determined a winner. In Trofeo Pirelli Am, Michael Verhagen from Formula Racing secured two wins in Valencia but still trails behind leader Hendrik Viol from Scuderia Praha Racing by 14 points. Manuela Gostner continues her strong form in Coppa Shell with three wins and five podiums out of six races, extending her lead over John Dhillon by 23 points. Sven Schömer leads Coppa Shell Am after winning Race-2 but faces competition from Jan Sandmann and Andreas König.
The next round will take place in Barcelona from July 17–20, where further developments are anticipated as competitors continue their pursuit of championship glory.
