The curtain fell today on an exhilarating season in the 2025 Ferrari Challenge UK Trofeo Pirelli race series. Blue skies and warm conditions set the stage for a thrilling finale, as the newly crowned champions – Gilbert Yates (Charles Hurst) in Trofeo Pirelli and Mike Dewhirst (Dick Lovett Swindon) in Coppa Shell – looked to end their successful campaigns in style. Toni Vilander, Ferrari ambassador, was present on the podium for the awards ceremonies throughout the weekend. 

In Trofeo Pirelli, G.Yates has been unstoppable all season. The Charles Hurst driver secured pole position at every qualifying session and converted his single-lap dominance into victories in all but one race, amassing nine wins overall in what has been a commanding second season for the Northern Irishman. In Coppa Shell, it was second time lucky for Dewhirst. Having come agonisingly close to the title in 2024, he started the 2025 season strongly and continued to grow in pace and confidence as the rounds progressed. Four consecutive wins in the second half of the campaign propelled him to the top of the standings and secured the championship. 

Qualifying 2

Yates maintained his flawless qualifying record, setting a fastest lap of 2:01.166 to take pole in Trofeo Pirelli. In Coppa Shell, Dewhirst matched the feat with a best lap of 2:02.204, claiming the top spot for the final race of the 2025 season. 

Race 2

Trofeo Pirelli. Contact at the start brought early exits for Haymandhra Pillai and Joseph Dean (Stratstone Colchester) and caused the red flag to emerge. As the 25-minute restart commenced, fourth-placed Pranav Vangala (HR Owen) set about recovering from a difficult qualifying. He quickly made progress, passing debutant Bradley Yates (Charles Hurst) to move into podium contention. Vangala then chased down Oscar Ryndziewicz (Graypaul Glasgow), and the pair fought hard for second. Contact before Stowe tipped the battle in Vangala’s favour, allowing him to slip past. At the same moment, B. Yates also took advantage, moving past Ryndziewicz into third. Motivated by the shuffle, Paul Simmerson (Graypaul Birmingham) soon followed through into fourth, while Ryndziewicz slipped further down the order with car issues. At the front, championship winner G.Yates once again delivered a trademark flawless performance, sealing his ninth win of the season and completing a perfect weekend – made even more special as his son joined him on the podium in his very first Ferrari Challenge UK race weekend. 

Coppa Shell. The red flag saw Steven Dopson (Dick Lovett Swindon) e Jonathan Satchell (HR Owen) exit the race. Following the red flag restart, Dewhirst came under early pressure from Peter Hunter (Stratstone Manchester) but showed his composure to hold the lead through the opening stages. Just as the race looked settled, the new champion was handed a drive-through penalty, dropping him to fourth. Hunter inherited the lead and built a comfortable gap at the front. Undeterred, Dewhirst mounted a late charge. Though Hunter was out of reach, the now podium-placed Darren Howell (JCT600 Leeds) and Paul Rogers (HR Owen) were still in sight. In the closing laps, despite his degrading tyres, Dewhirst pushed his Ferrari 296 Challenge and reeled them in, passing both to climb into second. Up ahead, Hunter crossed the line to take the final victory of the season – a result that also secured him second place overall in the Coppa Shell championship. Howell overcame a difficult Saturday race to secure third on the podium – his second of the season. 

Next Season. During the final round of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli UK this weekend at Silverstone, the Prancing Horse announced the calendar dates for the 2026 season. 

2026 Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli UK Calendar: 

Round 1: Le Castellet 12–15 March 

Round 2: Snetterton 2–3 May 

Round 3: Silverstone 22–24 May 

Round 4: Oulton Park 26–27 June 

Round 5: Brands Hatch 24–26 July 

Round 6: Donington 19–20 September