The 2025 season of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli UK came to a close at Silverstone. Over the weekend from 5 to 7 September, in the very heartland of British motorsport, the champions of Trofeo Pirelli and Coppa Shell were crowned. The oldest circuit in the United Kingdom thus brought to an end a season full of emotions. 

Yates is two-time champion. After clinching the 2024 championship, Northern Irish driver Gilbert Yates (Charles Hurst) took victory again in 2025. His campaign was impressive, almost flawless: ten pole positions out of ten and nine wins from ten races, plus a second place. It was in qualifying that Yates began to build his successes, before managing, with composure, the situations that weather and track conditions presented in the races.

First championship for Dewhirst. In Coppa Shell, this year’s winner was Mike Dewhirst (Dick Lovett Swindon). With six victories in ten races and four runner-up spots, Dewhirst showed remarkable consistency, starting already from qualifying. The highlight of his season was the decisive overtake, for the win, on the last lap of Race-1 at Oulton Park, on Paul Simmerson (Graypaul Birmingham), who at the time was competing in Coppa Shell. 

Vangala and Hunter finish runners-up, never giving up. The runners-up of the two respective championships never let go. In Trofeo Pirelli, young Pranav Vangala (HR Owen) took his first win in Race-2 at Navarra. His consistency enabled him to notch up nine runner-up spots behind Yates. On several occasions, Vangala also managed to put him under pressure. In Coppa Shell, Peter Hunter (Stratstone Manchester) secured three victories, four runner-up spots and two third places, battling with Dewhirst until the very end.

Several young drivers stood out in the championship. In Trofeo Pirelli, the 2025 season saw the entry of young drivers who caught the eye during the year. Twice, Calum Leathem (Charles Hurst) climbed the podium in third and he finished fourth on two other occasions. Also, Fedor Samorukov (HR Owen) took third place twice. It was also the first year in the category for Joseph Dean (Stratstone Colchester): his best result was a fifth place. 

Another Yates enters the championship. The last weekend at Silverstone marked the debut of a new driver, with a surname that certainly does not go unnoticed. Bradley Yates, son of two-time champion Gilbert, made his debut in Trofeo Pirelli with team Charles Hurst. In Race-1 he claimed a fine fourth place, while in Race-2 he managed to climb the podium (third over the line) alongside his father, creating a memorable family moment. 

Strong turnout. Large crowds attended all the rounds of the British championship. From the season-opener in Navarra (Spain) to the UK legs at Oulton Park, Brands Hatch and Donington, throughout the year fans were able to enjoy the races and the Ferrari-organised events at the circuits: Silverstone was the high point of the season, with over 10,000 spectators across the weekend.

The final standings. Yates dominated Trofeo Pirelli with 171 points. Vangala brought home 129. In third place was Paul Simmerson with 105. Then came John Marcar (Graypaul Birmingham) with 63 points, followed by Calum Leathem on 57, Fedor Samorukov on 52, Haymandra Pillai (Stratstone Colchester) on 25, Bal Sidhu (HR Owen) on 24, Joseph Dean on 21, Bradley Yates on 19 and Oscar Ryndziewicz (Graypaul Glasgow) on 17, the latter driver also competing in the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Europe.

In Coppa Shell, Dewhirst won with 158 points, followed by Hunter on 126, while third place in the standings went to Paul Rogers (HR Owen) with 83. The remaining drivers were all close together: Steven Dopson (Dick Lovett Swindon) 57, Darren Howell (JCT600 Leeds) 55, Paul Dixon (Dick Lovett Swindon) 44, Huseyn Sert (Maranello Sales) 30, Jonathan Satchell (HR Owen) 21, Sean Ran (HR Owen) 9. 

Among the teams, HR Owen finished top with 202 points. Also on the podium were Charles Hurst (166) and Dick Lovett Swindon (157). The rest of the standings featured Graypaul Birmingham (130), Stratstone Manchester (121), JCT600 Leeds (50), Stratstone Colchester (36), Maranello Sales (25), and Graypaul Glasgow (15). 

The calendar for next season. During the Silverstone weekend the 2026 championship calendar was unveiled, which will get underway with an important new development. From 12 to 15 March the drivers will be on track in France, at Circuit Paul Ricard (Le Castellet), officially kicking off the season with an international event that will also involve the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Europe. The next five rounds will all be in the United Kingdom. The season will then continue at Snetterton (2-3 May). Next comes Silverstone (22-24 May), before heading north to Oulton Park (26-27 June). Before the summer break, Ferrari Challenge UK will be at Brands Hatch (24-26 July), while the grand finale is scheduled for Donington (19-20 September).