Horse prancing down under
The calendar has been revealed for the 2025 season of Ferrari Challenge Australasia, bringing the one-make race series to the southern hemisphere for the first time.
The inaugural season marks a significant milestone in the continued growth of Ferrari motorsport on both sides of the Tasman.
Racers in the series will do battle over five rounds and vie for two titles – the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Australasia for Challenge 296 drivers, and the Ferrari Challenge Coppa Shell Australasia for 488 Evo entrants.
The first round is at Mount Panorama as a support category for the prestigious Bathurst 12 Hour from January 31 to February 2.
Rounds two, three and five are at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Victoria, Sydney Motorsport Park and the Shell V-Power Motorsport Park in South Australia respectively as a support race alongside Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia.
The series’ fourth round is at Sydney Motorsport Park with the weekend dedicated entirely to the prancing horse. It will feature not only the Ferrari Challenge Australasia, but also a round of the Passione Ferrari Club Challenge.
Ferrari Challenge Australasia’s race format will mirror other Ferrari championships. It includes two practice sessions, two qualifying sessions and two 30-minute races at each round.
The grid will welcome the dynamic Ferrari 296 Challenge for its first competitive outings in the region. Local deliveries of the exciting new contender have begun in advance of the season opener.
Additionally, the existing 488 Challenge Evo remains eligible for competition in 2025, continuing its celebrated legacy on the track.
Antonello Coletta, global head of Ferrari Endurance and Corse Clienti, says: “The Australasia series is part of a clear strategy that began with the UK regional series and continued with the Japan series, which has been a great success in terms of participation.”
Ferrari Challenge Australasia joins two continental series, in Europe and North America, and two regional series, in the UK and Japan.
Participants in it will have the chance to compete in Finali Mondiali, an annual race event hosted in Italy.
The championship builds on the success of the Passione Ferrari Club Challenge, which was launched in 2022. Next year, as it enters its fourth season, entry will open to all past and present Ferrari Challenge cars from the iconic 348 onwards.
