Ferrari Racing Days – Paul Ricard FXX K Queen of France
Posted: 26.07.2015
Source: Ferrari
Le Castellet, 26 July – The excitement and spectacle of the Challenge, the history and glamour of the Formula 1 Clienti and the power and beauty of the FXX K as well as the exclusive atmosphere that only Ferrari can create, were all present at the Paul Ricard on Sunday. Over 10,000 spectators flocked to the Provence circuit to enjoy the final Prancing Horse event before the summer break.
The queen. Like in Budapest last month, the Ferrari FXX K attracted the lion’s share of the eyes, ears and hearts of the fans at the Paul Ricard. Ferrari customers had their second chance to lap the track in the latest XX Programmes car. Its extraordinary power, 1,050 HP, 860 from the V12 combustion engine and 190 from the hybrid system derived from Formula 1, its roar and its spectacular lines once again made the car the undisputed queen of the Ferrari Racing Days.
Single-seaters. French fans also enjoyed the extraordinary sound as the Formula 1 Clienti brought to the track several 8, 10 and 12 cylinder engined Ferrari singleseaters. The 412 T2 of 1995 was the favourite of a public that had another chance to see the last Formula 1 car with a Ferrari V12 engine. Aside from this, the fans were also thrilled by the F2001, F2002 and F2003-GA cars that won so much in the era of Michael Schumacher, as well as the F2007 in which Kimi Raikkonen won the World Championship and the F2008 that nearly took the title in the hands of Felipe Massa. Two special tutors helped the very special customers to use at best their cars: Andrea Bertolini and Olivier Beretta.
Challenge. The world’s most famous one-make championship again on Sunday gave the public the sort of excitement you can only get from real competition. The Ferrari Challenge Europe saw hard fought races with victories for Erich Prinoth in the Shell Cup, Bjorn Grossmann in the Trofeo Pirelli and Martin Nelson the Pirelli in Am.
The range. There was excitement on track, but fans at the Circuit Paul Ricard could also admire the whole Ferrari range including LaFerrari, the most popular as always, and the new 488 GTB, the V8 turbo sports engine unveiled in Geneva in the spring.
Ferrari Challenge Europe – Prinoth, Grossmann and Nelson triumph in Race 2
Posted: 26.07.2015
Source: Ferrari
Le Castellet, 26 July – The second day of racing in the Ferrari Challenge Europe on Sunday brought the usual mix of emotions, with overtaking and duels in the Coppa Shell and Trofeo Pirelli making it an unforgettable day for over 10,000 fans at the Circuit Paul Ricard.
Coppa Shell. Once again the day opened with the Coppa Shell, which saw Erich Prinoth confirm his dominance this weekend. The Ineco-MP driver starting from pole position warded off an attack on the first bend from Gautam Singhania (Kessel Racing), who had another brilliant race. The Indian driver soon had to deal with Tari Hanna (AF Corse) and, above all, with championship leader Jacques Duyver (Kessel Racing). The Belgian tried everything to take second but Singhania managed to fend him off on an extremely good weekend for him. Prinoth, who also won the Gentlemen’s Cup, reduced his delay on Duyver to 30 points in the standings, while Singhania is now third having overtaken Thomas Loefflad (StileF Squadra Corse).
Trofeo Pirelli. The Trofeo Pirelli saw a reaction from Bjorn Grossmann (Octane 126), who had lost out to “Babalus” (Autoropa) in Race 1. The German driver, starting in pole, made the most of an advantage gained on the first corner to lead his championship rival, who after a number of fast laps in the end had to make do with a podium finish. Florian Merckx (Baron Service) came third. So once again 10 points divide the first two in the championship standings, with Grossmann on 138 points, “Babalus” on 128, and Merckx 89.
Pirelli Am. Although Switzerland’s Nicholas Stürzinger (Foitek) took pole and recorded the fastest lap, victory went to Martin Nelson (Autoropa). The Swede bounced back from an unsuccessful outing on Saturday to stretch his lead over Alessandro Vezzoni (Rossocorsa-Pellin Racing) who was leading with him the championship with 107 points in the standings after Saturday’s win. Nelson dominated from start to finish, while there was a three-way fight for second as Vezzoni found himself in a long duel with Andreas Segler and Stürzinger who ended up in a spin that cost him a potential podium finish. However, Segler managed to overtake the Italian driver to take second. Nelson has 127 points in the standings, while Vezzoni is on 119, followed by Segler on 91. The next race is on 18 September at Imola.
Ferrari Racing Days – A minute’s silence for Jules Bianchi at the Paul Ricard
Posted: 25.07.2015
Source: Ferrari
Le Castellet, July 25 – Drivers, teams, customers and all Ferrari staff present at the Paul Ricard circuit on Saturday for the Ferrari Racing Days, honoured the memory of Jules Bianchi with a minute’s silence. At 3pm, just before Race 1 of the Shell Cup in the Ferrari Challenge Europe series, engines were turned off as drivers and mechanics gathered at the starting line to remember the young driver from Nice who died eight days ago. Since his death last Friday all helmets and race cars in the Challenge competition and F1 Customer cars in the XX Programmes have carried a sticker with the hashtag #CiaoJules.
Ferrari Challenge Europe – In Race-1 win for “Babalus”, Vezzoni and Duyver
Posted: 25.07.2015
Source: Ferrari
Le Castellet, 25 July – The first day of competition in the fourth round of Ferrari Challenge Europe 2015 took place on Saturday, with the fans enjoying extremely exciting and hard fought races on the technical and fast Paul Ricard circuit.
Shell Cup. Following a minute’s silence, the Shell Cup saw a very closely fought 30-minute race. Poleman Erich Prinoth (Ineco/MP) took an early lead, with Jacques Duyver (Kessel Racing) in second after overtaking Gautham Singhania (Kessel Racing), who was followed by Fons Scheltema (Kessel Racing), Rick Lovat (Kessel Racing) and Manuela Gostner (Ineco/MP). In the rear a contact put Tommy Lindroth (Baron Service) out of the race at the end of the first lap, with Murat Cuhadaroglu (Kessel Racing) suffering the same fate next time round. Another contact, this time between Scheltema and Singhania, sent the Dutch driver into a spin that left him in seventh. Meanwhile, the initial gap between Prinoth and Duyver narrowed with the Belgian championship leader forcing his way through on the last bend. Prinoth seemed to be having problems with his brakes and stopped trying to attack Duyver. Singhania took the third podium place ahead of Eric Cheung (AF Corse) and Scheltema, who pulled off a spectacular overtake of Hanna (AF Corse) on the final lap. As well as second place Prinoth won the Gentlemen’s Cup for the over 55s, followed by Fons Scheltema in second. However, Duyver stretched his championship lead, with Thomas Loefflad (StileF Corse) moving up into second place.
Pirelli Trophy. A long duel between poleman Matteo Babalus (Autoropa) and championship leader Bjorn Grossmann dominated the Pirelli Trophy race. The Italian driver began well in first despite pressure from the Octane 126 captain. The two rivals seemed to be going at a different pace to the rest of the group and, due to a contact that put Zlobin (AF/Corse) and Nelson (Autoropa) out of the race, by lap three were almost 10 seconds ahead of Florian Merckx (Baron Service), while David Gostner (Ineco/MP) was fourth. The race continued with a duel at a distance between Babalus and Grossmann as the German did all he could to close on the Italian. However, Babalus controlled the race with ease and finished more than four seconds ahead. Merckx was third while Gostner finished in fourth position overall.
Pirelli Am. Martin Nelson took pole in the Am class ahead of Nicolas Stürzinger (Foitek Racing) and Andreas Segler (StileF). After a few laps Nelson’s car went into a spin after contact with Zlobin (AF/Racing) on a slow stretch of the track. Alessandro Vezzoni (Rossocorsa/Pellin) took advantage of this to move into first place in the class and then keep it all the way to the chequered flag. Tommaso Rocca (Rossocorsa) fought back well into third, but then suffered transmission trouble and had to withdraw. So Vezzoni won ahead of Segler and Stürzinger, while Martin finished fourth in the class to take crucial championship points. Sunday, the final day of the long French weekend, will see more of the same with tests in the morning for both classes and races in the afternoon: Race 2 of the Shell Cup takes place at 3.10pm and is followed by the Pirelli Trophy at 5.10pm.
Ferrari Challenge Europe – At Paul Ricard with Mr. Singhania
Posted: 24.07.2015
Source: Ferrari
Le Castellet, 24 July – Mr. Gautham Singhania introduces us to the Circuit Paul Ricard
home of the summer round of the Ferrari Challenge Europe. The Kessel Racing driver talks about the track, the 458 Challenge Evo and the series in which is shining, the Coppa Shell. Many times on the podium this year for him, so now the only target is the first seasonal win.
Ferrari Racing Days – Green flag time for three days at the Paul Ricard
Posted: 24.07.2015
Source: Ferrari
Le Castellet, 24 July – It’s green flag time for the Ferrari Racing Days at the Circuit Paul Ricard. This spectacular three-day event will feature the 458 Challenge EVO in the Ferrari Challenge Europe, along with F1 Clienti cars and those of the XX Programmes. The latter will include the FXX K, the latest addition to this special programme designed for a very exclusive group of customers. There will also be plenty more to see in the paddock, including official drivers who will be will be attending as tutors.
The jewel. The FXX K almost stole the show from Sebastian Vettel in Budapest, a month ago. The car is derived from LaFerrari, with just a handful built exclusively for track use. Anyone lucky enough to be selected by Ferrari to own an XX Programmes car, signs up for a two-year programme of events in which the customer becomes a Ferrari tester. The technicians and engineers will use the information gathered on track to help them design the cars of the future, while for their part the customers can further hone their driving skills and understanding of a racing car. Fourteen XX Programme cars are registered for the Paul Ricard with all three models produced by Ferrari as part of this special programme: the FXX, 599XX and FXX K.
Formula 1. There will also be more than ten F1 Clienti cars that have written the history of the category on track at Le Castellet, where Alain Prost notched up the Scuderia’s 100th victory in 1990. The models that will lap the 5,842 metres of the Paul Ricard include a 412 T2, the last single-seater powered by a 12-cylinder engine, which competed in the 1995 championship; a F1-2000 and then the F2002, F2003-GA, F2007, F2008 up to the F150° Italia of 2011.
The range. The colours of an incredible number of Ferraris from every era will brighten the paddock, filling it with excitement. As with every Challenge race, the entire current range will be on display, including LaFerrari and the 488 GTB, the new V8 car unveiled in Geneva that brings the turbo engine to the forefront and that in the coming years will feature in Maranello’s sports GT programmes.
The tutors. Two Ferrari drivers will follow the driver-customers this weekend: Andrea Bertolini, a long-time Ferrari driver and tester and winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours with the 458 Italia GTE, and Olivier Beretta, second in Le Mans with Davide Rigon and James Calado, and currently racing in America, in the Pirelli World Challenge championship where he’s leading the field with the 458 Italia GT3 of the R. Ferri Motorsport team. This not to be missed summer spectacle on the French Riviera informally marks the end of the first half of the Ferrari season.
Ferrari Challenge Europe – Duyver and Prinoth lead the pack
Posted: 23.07.2015
Source: Ferrari
Le Castellet, 23 July – The Coppa Shell is expected to provide its usual exciting show in the Ferrari Challenge Europe series at the weekend. Indeed, this competition has provided the liveliest and most spectacular races so far this season, so expectation is running high among the public due to attend the Ferrari Racing Days.
Clear round. With twists, bumps and a number of errors almost all the championship leaders have had at least one bad day. However, almost is the operative word, because Jacques Duyver (Kessel Racing) has basically not put a foot wrong this season. The Belgian has won three out of six races, while his closest rivals this weekend at the Paul Ricard circuit are Erich Prinoth (Ineco-MP Racing) followed by Gautham Singhania (Kessel Racing), a great competitor so far this season.
Gentlemen’s Cup. However, the fight is wide open amongst the over-55s. Prinoth leads with 55 points but is only 5 points ahead of Fons Scheltema. The Dutchman started the season subdued but is now back to his tigerish best, hungry for wins and opponents. This video shows the most spectacular moments of the Budapest round.
Ferrari Challenge Europe – Number 10 recurring theme for Trofeo Pirelli
Posted: 23.07.2015
Source: Ferrari
Le Castellet, 23 July – The common denominator for the Trofeo Pirelli and the Pirelli Am championships in the Ferrari Challenge Europe series seems to be the number 10. Ten points separate the top two in the standings of both championships after the magnificent races in Budapest. This weekend sees the last round of the series before the summer break, with over 30 cars ready to do battle in the two race categories on the beautiful Paul Ricard circuit. The Challenge will be one of the highlights of the second European Ferrari Racing Days of 2015.
Pirelli Trophy. Bjorn Grossmann now leads the Pirelli Trophy standings after the Budapest race. The German Octane 126 team driver did the double at the Hungaroring, with his third win of the season taking him above Matteo “Babalus” Santoponte (Autoropa), twice a winner this season but unlucky in Hungary. Ten points separate first from second, 100 against 90. Florian Merckx trails some way back in third, on 64 points, followed by David Gostner in fourth on 59.
Pirelli Am. Sweden’s Martin Nelson is battling it out with Italy’s Alessandro Vezzoni in the Pirelli Am championship. Like “Babalus”, Vezzoni (Rossocorsa Pellin-Racing) arrived at the Hungaroring heading the standings but left Hungary in second behind the other Autoropa team standard bearer, Martin Nelson. With two wins and 95 points Nelson is now 10 ahead of the Italian driver who has already won three times in 2015. Then comes Tommaso Rocca (Rossocorsa, with a single win to his name) on 67 points, fighting it out with Andreas Segler (StileF Racing Team) on 59. Relive the drama of the Hungaroring races in this Video.
Ferrari Challenge Europe – The Giant and the Shark, double interview
Posted: 22.07.2015
Source: Ferrari
Maranello, 22 July – A new double interview to two Ferrari Challenge drivers. They are part of the same team and are great friends, we’re talking about the giant from Luxembourg, Alexis De Bernardi, and the Dutchman Fons Scheltema, famous for the shark teeth livered car. The two, side by side, tell themselves, goofing around and confess their love for Ferrari and especially for the 458 Challenge Evo they bring to the racetrack at every round of the European series. They will be fighting on track this weekend as the Ferrari Challenge in among the core activities of the second European Ferrari Racing Days event of the season, beginning on Friday at the Circuit Paul Ricard.
Ferrari Racing Days – Paul Ricard event is less than two weeks away
Posted: 13.07.2015
Source: Ferrari
Maranello, 13 July – A not-to-be-missed event is coming soon. The second the Ferrari Racing Days scheduled in Europe is less than two weeks away. After the Budapest event, it will be the turn of the Paul Ricard circuit in Le Castellet to be invaded by the Ferrari fever. The Ferrari Racing competitions will offer to the audience on the stands the excitement that only the Maranello maker can generate. This also thanks to a programme enriched by the fourth round of the Ferrari Challenge Europe, the best known one-make series in the world, which is by now the perfect training ground for the GT drivers of the future; but not only that, considering that Viktor Shaytar, winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours this year together with Andrea Bertolini and Aleksey Basov came back to compete in the series, starting with the Budapest event.
The Formula 1 cars. Naturally, there are great expectations for the Formula 1 Clienti cars, which have made history in the category and will come back on the track thanks to an exclusive programme that allows some very special customers to take drive them, supported by the Scuderia’s official drivers who, as tutors, help the lucky customer drivers extract the highest performance (and therefore the greatest driving pleasure) from the single-seaters.
FXX K. Another star attraction, much awaited by the public and media, will be the FXX K, which made its official debut in Budapest with special Customer-Testers at the controls, giving the official start to the new two-year period of this XX Programmes. The FXX K is powered by a 1050 HP engine and is derived from the limited hybrid series LaFerrari. Besides this model, there will be other XX cars, such as the 599XX, a front-engined car with extremely sophisticated aerodynamics.
Not just on the track. There will be action on the track, of course, but not only there, as there will also be no shortage of attractions in the paddock of the Paul Ricard circuit: starting with the road Ferraris, with all current models of the Maranello firm, including the California T and the Prancing Horse’s latest jewel the turbo-charged 8-cylinder sports model 488 GTB introduced in Geneva during the spring.