Mugello, 24th January 2006 - During the press conference that preceded the traditional prize-giving ceremony to the winners of Corse Clienti events, the programme for the 2006 season was announced. Also present was Ferrari's Direttore Generale, Jean Todt, Commercial Director Andrea Bozzoli, head of Corse Clienti activities, Antonello Coletta, and the new head of Ferrari Classic Projects, Roberto Vaglietti. The programme, as Bozzoli underlined, "will see clients of classic cars in the forefront with the Historic Challenge.


The new Ferrari Classiche department will have the chance to fulfil its ambitions thanks to a revamped technical assistance set up that is able to satisfy the needs of the owners. The ambitious FXX project fits into these activities and, over the next three years, will reserve for 29 lucky owners, fourteen events held around the world". As regards the technical details of the various championships in which Ferrari's Clienti Sportivi will take part, and in particular in Ferrari Challenge that is now in its fourteenth year, the microphone was passed to Antonello Coletta. He stated that "the Challenge rules will not be modified next season. The fifty minute format with the chance to make a driver change will remain, thus optimising costs. What will be different will be the debut of the F430, a car that will, as per tradition, be fielded in the Trofeo Pirelli or the Coppa Shell. Those who want to race in the 360 will be able to do so in a single championship. Moving on from Challenge to GT, we will be driving in GT2 where the F430 will continue to battle it out with the Porsche in our traditionally intense rivalry". In support of what Coletta said, Todt emphasised that Ferrari, though not officially in the GT2 class, would back up a couple of teams, probably running Pirellis. Continuing in the GT field, the Direttore Generale made clear that the FIA GT's top class would all but be abandoned at a group level in order to support the efforts of the Maserati MC12. In conclusion, Roberto Taglietti, head of the newly created Progetto Ferrari Classiche, illustrated to the press the guidelines that call for a certificate of authenticity for cars over twenty years of age and the setting up of a Classic Center, dedicated to the assistance and restoration of damaged parts realised with reference to the original". The press briefing ended with a tribute being paid to Gabriele Gardel for a fantastic season in the FIA GT at the wheel of the 550 Maranello. Michele Maceratesi, the Italian and World Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli champion who dominated the season, was also recognised.