The first Ferrari Racing Days of the year got underway today at the Mugello International Circuit with this weekend seeing the F430 Challenge cars tackling the fourth round of the Italian series of the one-make championship. The packed programme also featured some untimed sessions for the historic Formula 1 cars prepared by the F1 Clienti department of Maranello. The on track tutor for the F1 owners at this Ferrari Racing Days is Jean Alesi, who raced for the Maranello Scuderia from 1991 to 1995 and is currently teamed with Giancarlo Fisichella and Toni Vilander in the Le Mans Series championship, at the wheel of the one of three Ferraris entered by the AF Corse team. No fewer than ten of these beauties have come to the Tuscan track, including a 1987 ex Alboreto and Berger F1-87/88C, three cars driven by Michael Schumacher in 1989, 2003 and 2004 and an ex Felipe Massa 2006 248 F1. Other non-competitive action included track time for over 50 Ferrari owners who were able to test themselves at the wheel of their cars in the special “Emozioni in pista” programme. 

The first qualifying session for the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli saw Giorgio Senargiotto (Motor/Piacenza) set the fastest time to take the first pole position of the day, ahead of Andrea Belluzzi (Motor/Modena) and Dario Caso (CDP). In the Coppa Shell, Giovanni Cappelletti (Rossocorsa/Pellin) was fastest, setting the sixth time overall, ahead of Andrea Rizzoli (Motor/Piacenza) and Sergio Rota (Motor/Piacenza).In the afternoon qualifying session to decide the grid for Race 2, Andrea Belluzzi (Motor/Modena) topped the time sheet, followed by Stefano Gai (Rossocorsa) and Dario Caso (CDP). Seventh position for Giuseppe Fascicolo (Rossocorsa/Pellin) among the gentleman drivers Giovanni Cappelletti (Rossocorsa/Pellin).

The two races in the Italian series of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli will be shown live on Sunday 4 July at 11.15 (Race 1) on Sky Sport 2 and at 15.15 (Race 2) on Sky Sport Extra.