Following the season opener held in mid-March at Le Castellet, the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Europe is set to stage the second round of its 2026 calendar from 24 to 26 April at the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello. On the same weekend, the Japan series will also return to the spotlight with its second round at Okayama. The opening event in France delivered closely fought contests and a high level of competition across all classes, featuring drivers at the wheel of the Ferrari 296 Challenge, the ninth model used in the one-make series organised by the Maranello marque, which was unveiled at Mugello during the 2023 Finali Mondiali.<\/p>\n
Trofeo Pirelli. After securing a double victory on his return to the series\u2014five years after his title win in the Trofeo Pirelli Am\u2014Sergio Paulet (Ineco \u2013 Reparto Corse RAM) will aim to extend his lead in the overall standings, also taking advantage of the absence in the Italian round of Gilles Renmans (Francorchamps Motors Brussels), who claimed two second-place finishes at Paul Ricard, and Hendrik Viol (Scuderia Praha Racing), who will make his debut in the class upon his return. Lining up against the Spanish driver on the curves of the Scarperia circuit will be experienced local racer Max Mugelli (CDP \u2013 Eureka Competition), fresh from a pair of third-place finishes in France. Among the Am drivers, the man to beat is Michael Verhagen (Ferrari Warszawa), who claimed two victories at the French round.
\nA total of 12 Ferrari 296 Challenge cars are entered across the Trofeo Pirelli and Trofeo Pirelli Am classes for the upcoming round.<\/p>\n
Coppa Shell. A closely contested battle is expected in this class, featuring not only the winners from the Paul Ricard round, Jan Sandmann (Kessel Racing) and Eric Cheung (Formula Racing)\u2014who will celebrate his 200th Ferrari Challenge race at Mugello\u2014but also several drivers making their seasonal debut after missing the French event, including Robin Maes (Monza NV), Luis Perusquia (Rossocorsa), and Italy\u2019s Stefano Inama (Modena Cars \u2013 D&C Racing).
\nThe Coppa Shell and Coppa Shell Am classes will field a total of 26 cars, with the latter category featuring the largest grid of the weekend, with seventeen entrants and several new faces joining the competition.<\/p>\n
The history. In 2026, the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli reaches its 34th edition. Since its debut in 1993, the championship has accompanied enthusiasts and drivers from around the world at the wheel of increasingly sophisticated cars, ever closer to those competing in GT categories, representing a benchmark in customer racing and a steppingstone for future careers in motorsport.<\/p>\n
A special bond. The Mugello circuit holds a special place in the history of the Ferrari Challenge and, more broadly, in the activities of the Corse Clienti department. The Tuscan track has hosted 17 editions of the Finali Mondiali to date, including the first six (1993\u20131998) and the most recent in 2025.
\nAt Mugello in 2023, within this context, two cars destined to write important chapters in the one-make series and customer racing activities were unveiled: the 296 Challenge, as mentioned, and the Ferrari 499P Modificata, whose first example was seen on track during the inaugural Sport Prototipi Clienti event, held at Mugello in March 2024.
\nSet in a landscape of great charm and heritage, Mugello has always been one of the most appreciated circuits among drivers and teams, as well as one of the most emblematic venues for the Ferrari world. Measuring 5.245 kilometres, the track is distinguished by a highly technical layout, characterised by fast corners, demanding braking zones and significant elevation changes \u2013 an ideal proving ground to highlight the qualities of the Ferrari 296 Challenge, the undisputed star of the series, and to showcase the talent of those competing on track.<\/p>\n
The programme. The weekend will follow the series\u2019 established format, with on-track action beginning on Friday 24 April with testing and free practice sessions. Saturday 25 April will open with qualifying for Coppa Shell and Coppa Shell Am at 9:30, followed by Trofeo Pirelli and Trofeo Pirelli Am at 10:15. In the afternoon, Race 1 is scheduled at 14:00 (Coppa Shell and Coppa Shell Am) and 15:15 (Trofeo Pirelli and Trofeo Pirelli Am).On Sunday 26 April, the programme will mirror the same structure, with qualifying sessions in the morning at the same times and Race 2 in the afternoon at 14:00 and 15:15 (local times).<\/p>\n