The final round of the 2025 Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli UK series roared into action today at Silverstone – the home of British motorsport - promising a thrilling crescendo to the season, with both the Trofeo Pirelli and Coppa Shell titles on the line. 

Qualifying 1

In Trofeo Pirelli, championship leader Gilbert Yates (Charles Hurst) produced another commanding display to edge closer to a second title, setting a benchmark lap of 2:01.549. In Coppa Shell, his counterpart Mike Dewhirst (Dick Lovett Swindon) faced a similar scenario and rose to the occasion, delivering a precise single-lap effort of 2:02.742 to secure pole position. 

Race 1

Trofeo Pirelli. Yates converted his qualifying advantage into a dominant race performance, quickly stretching his lead at the front. Behind him, Fedor Samorukov (HR Owen) impressed, climbing through the order with decisive overtakes on Calum Leathem (Charles Hurst) and Joseph Dean (Stratstone Colchester) to move up into sixth. Further up the field, Paul Simmerson (Graypaul Birmingham) seized his chance to pressure Oscar Ryndziewicz (Graypaul Glasgow) for third. The intensity forced a mistake from the Glasgow driver, allowing Simmerson through to claim the position. The ensuing yellow flag bunched the field and gave UK Challenge newcomer Bradley Yates (Charles Hurst) – the son of 2024 Trofeo Pirelli UK champion Gilbert Yates - a shot at the podium, but Simmerson’s experience showed as he held firm in his Ferrari 296 Challenge race car and consolidated his position. A mid-race incident in Coppa Shell brought out the safety car, compressing the pack. On the restart, Dean, John Marcar (Graypaul Birmingham) and Leathem engaged in a thrilling three-way scrap for seventh, while Yates reasserted his authority at the front. With flawless pace and composure, he pulled clear once more, taking victory in trademark fashion and sealing his second consecutive Ferrari Challenge UK Trofeo Pirelli championship. 

Coppa Shell. Peter Hunter (Stratstone Manchester) made the stronger getaway, sweeping past Dewhirst in the opening laps. But the championship leader regrouped, retaking the lead with a confident move just a few laps later. Before he could extend the margin, contact between Darren Howell (JCT600 Leeds) and Leathem triggered another yellow flag. When racing resumed, a 10-minute dash to the chequered flag ensued. Dewhirst dug deep, establishing breathing room over Hunter while Paul Rogers (HR Owen) worked his way into podium contention. Behind them, Jonathan Satchell (HR Owen) capitalised on a slow exit by Huseyin Sert (Maranello Sales) to also climb into the top four. In the closing stages, Hunter mounted a determined challenge to regain the lead, but a small mistake through Aintree saw him drop into fourth, promoting Satchell into the podium places. From there, the order was set: Dewhirst crossed the line to secure a commanding victory - and with it, his maiden Coppa Shell championship. 

Next Race. The curtain falls on the 2025 Ferrari Challenge UK season tomorrow, with qualifying at 10:00 and the final race at 14:30. Fans can follow the action live at Silverstone or online at live.ferrari.com.