Ferrari Challenge | Victory and title for Altoè at the Nürburgring

The challenge in the Pirelli AM Trophy remains open, with Federico Al Rifai (Rossocorsa) taking victory on his debut.

In the Coppa Shell, which celebrated its 2024 champions on Saturday, triumphs of the day for Henry Hassid (Kessel Racing) who celebrated the title with a double, and for Eric Cheung (Formula Racing) in the Am class.

Finally, in the Pirelli 488 Trophy, victory went to Swiss Qwin Wietlisbach (CDP – D&C Racing).

As per tradition, the German public showed great enthusiasm and interest in the Ferrari Racing Days, which over the weekend saw the presence of over 12,000 spectators who came to admire not only the 296 Challenges but also all the cars from the Prancing Horse’s non-competitive activities such as F1 Clienti, XX Programme, Sport Prototipi Clienti and Club Competizioni GT.

Pirelli Trophy

After Eliseo Donno in 2023, another Italian has won the Trofeo Pirelli title. With his tenth podium out of ten races and his seventh triumph, Giacomo Altoè sealed an extraordinary season at the Nürburgring, embellished by double wins at Balaton on his debut and at Le Castellet at the end of July.

Starting today from pole position, Altoé had to give up the first position to Luca Ludwig (MERTEL Motorsport), who was however forced to retire.

Having regained the lead of the race, the Italian progressively increased his advantage over his pursuers until he crossed the finish line alone, with a best lap time of 1’59”002.

The battle for second place was exciting, with Bence Valint (Ferrari Budapest – Rossocorsa) managing to defend himself skilfully, leaving Philipp Baron (Gohm Motorsport – Baron Racing Team) behind him.

The Mameli Anthem also sang on the podium of the Pirelli Am Trophy thanks to the success in his absolute debut for the young Federico Al Rifai, who started from the first position among the drivers in the class.

Behind him is Hendrik Viol (Scuderia Praha Racing), who thus keeps the title race open in view of the final round in Imola, where the Czech will arrive 22 points behind the leader Claus Zibrandtsen (Formula Racing), fourth today. In a race that saw 32 overtakings, third place goes to Angelo Fontana (MERTEL Motorsport).

Shell Cup

The new series champion Henry Hassid authoritatively conquers the second race on the German circuit, at the end of a race always led.

Starting from pole position, the Frenchman gradually extended his lead and crossed the checkered flag first with a best lap of 2’00”534, ahead of an ever-positive John Dhillon (Graypaul Nottingham).

The battle for third place between Alexander Nussbaumer (Gohm Motorsport – Haupt Racing Team) and Tibor Valint (Ferrari Budapest – Rossocorsa) was thrilling right up until the final lap, with the result being decided in favour of the former after the Hungarian driver was given a 10-second penalty for contact with Manuela Gostner (Ineco – Reparto Corse RAM).

Among the Ams, in a race interrupted by the red flag a few minutes from the end due to an exit without consequences for the drivers within the group, Eric Cheung (Formula Racing) prevailed.

Behind the Canadian, who took his second win of the season, came home driver Roland Hertner (Gohm Motorsport – Engstler), who made an excellent recovery from seventh place on the starting grid, and the new class champion Zois Skrimpias (Ineco Reparto Corse RAM).

Poleman Jan Sandmann (Kessel Racing) finished in the rear, slowed down by a Drive Through penalty for incorrect alignment at the start.

Departure

Photo by: Ferrari

Pirelli Trophy 488

In the class dedicated to the 488 Challenge Evo, the young Qwin Wietlisbach prevailed ahead of Friederich Müller (Gohm Motorsport – Engstler) and Aleksei Komarov (Scuderia Praha Racing).

Next appointment. The Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Europe returns to Imola, at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, from 16 to 20 October, where the last two races of the Continental series will be held before the World Finals, scheduled for Sunday 20.

World Finals Imola

For the eagerly awaited event in Romagna that concludes not only the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli season, but also all the exclusive non-competitive activities of Corse Clienti and a moment of celebration of the successes of the Maranello company, tickets are already on sale for the individual days of October 19 or 20 or a mini season ticket for Saturday and Sunday, the day in which the races of the Finali Mondiali and the spectacular Ferrari Show are particularly concentrated.

All information on purchasing tickets is available at the following link on the Ferrari.com website, where the detailed program of the event will also be published shortly.