Silverstone, Saturday 23 May 2026. The Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli UK championship returned this weekend for the third round at the legendary Silverstone Circuit. Warm and dry conditions set the stage for another weekend of action-packed racing at the home of British Motorsport. Its high-speed, fast-flowing layout presents one of the toughest tests on the calendar for the drivers in their Ferrari 296 Challenge cars.
Qualification 1:
In Trofeo Pirelli, last year’s Trofeo Pirelli champion, Gilbert Yates (Charles Hurst), claimed Pole Position with a time of 2:01:140, just 0.5-sec ahead of Joseph Dean (Stratstone Colchester), who posted a best lap of 2:01:585. 2026 opening round winner, Bradley Yates (Charles Hurst), completed the top three, with a time of 2:02:123.
In Coppa Shell, series newcomer, Christopher Beighton (Graypaul Nottingham), took Pole Position with a best lap of 2:03:772, just 0.02-sec ahead of Sean Ran (HR Owen), who posted a time of 2:03:791. Italian driver, Andrea Seminara (HR Owen) qualified in 3rd – only 0.3-sec behind Ran – setting a best lap of 2:04:088.
Race 1:
Trofeo Pirelli. Pole Sitter G.Yates made an excellent start and began to build a commanding lead over 2nd-placed Dean. Coppa Shell European champion, Manuela Gostner (Ineco), wasted no time in overtaking B.Yates on the first lap, moving up a place to claim 3rd.
As the race progressed, G.Yates continued to increase his gap, while a three-way battle for 3rd between Gostner, B.Yates and Mike Dewhirst (Dick Lovett Swindon) intensified. But it was B.Yates who had the pace to dive up the apex of Abbey, passing Gostner to reclaim 3rd.
With the order now settled, G. Yates brought home another victory some 12-sec ahead of Dean, who finished 2nd. After a hard-fought battle, B.Yates ultimately secured the final place on the podium.
Coppa Shell. Ran, starting from 2nd, made a flying start and quickly overtook Beighton to take the lead on the first lap. From 4th on the grid, Ian Morris (Maranello Sales) moved up to 3rd after passing Seminara on the first lap, who then dropped to 5th behind William Bolster (Charles Hurst).
As the race wore on, Beighton spotted an opening and lunged up the inside of Ran at Village in a bid to salvage his lead, but he spun out. Further back, Seminara found his race rhythm and overtook Bolster to reclaim 4th on the inside of The Vale.
As the chequered flag fell, it was Ran who took the win, with Beighton finishing 2nd just 0.5-sec behind. Morris defended the final place on the podium, despite Seminara’s eager attempt to overtake him.
Qualification 2:
In Trofeo Pirelli, G.Yates continued to dominate his class, qualifying on Pole Position with a time of 2:00:711 – just 1-sec ahead of his son, B.Yates, who posted a best lap of 2:01:743. Dean drove well to secure 3rd place on the grid, with a time of 2:02:230.
In Coppa Shell, Seminara secured his first ever Pole Position with a best lap of 2:03:706. Very close behind and separated by only 0.05-sec, Beighton (Graypaul Nottingham) and Morris, posted times of 2:04:031 and 2:04:084, to qualify 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Race 2:
Trofeo Pirelli. Pole Sitter G.Yates made a quick getaway and began to extend his advantage ahead of B.Yates. Within the first lap, Coppa Shell European champion, Gostner quickly passed Dean to claim 3rd.
As the race progressed, Dean ramped up the pressure on Gostner, but the Italian did not concede her position. As the order settled, the drivers continued to push their Ferrari 296 Challenge cars to the limit.
G.Yates was first to pass the chequered flag, completing a perfect weekend for the 2025 Trofeo Pirelli champion – just 1-sec ahead of his son, B.Yates. Gostener drove excellently to secure the final step on the podium.
Coppa Shell. Seasoned racer Beighton made a fantastic start and lunged past Seminara through Abbey to take the lead. From way back in 6th on the grid, Ran weaved through the field and claimed 2nd from Seminara.
Around the halfway point of the race, a well-timed move from Morris allowed him to overtake 3rd-placed Seminara. Further back, Bolster came under pressure from Darren Howell (JCT600 Leeds), but he defended successfully to retain 5th place.
As the chequered flag waved, it was Beighton who took home the victory with yesterday’s winner, Ran, under 0.5-sec behind. A consistent performance by Morris earned him a second podium finish of the weekend.
For the latest updates on the Ferrari Challenge UK race series, visit: https://www.ferrari.com/en-GB/corse-clienti/uk
Next Race:
The Ferrari Challenge UK series travels to Oulton Park on 26-27 June. Spectators can watch the race in person or online at live.ferrari.com.
