Mugello (Scarperia), 2 June

The Mugello International Circuit is hosting the third round of the European Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli this weekend. Today was given over to qualifying to decide the grid for Sunday’s four races.

In both legs of the Trofeo Pirelli, Alessandro Balzan will start from pole, having set the fastest time overall in Ferrari Moscow’s 458 Challenge, with a best time in Q1 of 1.53.484. Behind him, his team-mate Alexander Skryabin in 1.54.272, followed by the ever competitive Max Blancardi (Motor/Malucelli) third in 1.54.345. The grid for the second race will again see Balzan first away with a time of 1.54.338, followed by his team-mate Bjorn Grossmann (1.54.580) and Max Blancardi (1.54.673.)

Dominating the two Coppa Shell qualifying sessions was another Ferrari Moscow driver, Alexey Basov, who had already shown a good pace in yesterday’s free practice. He set a time of 1.54.933 ahead of Giacoma Stratta with a best of 1.55.158 (Forza Service) and Renato Di Amato who posted a 1.55.303 in the CDP car. In the second session, the Russian lapped in 1.55.599 to beat Raffaele Giannoni (Motor/Piacenza -1.56.055) and Stratta (1.56.270.)


Among the most photographed and admired cars in the paddock was a splendid 599 XX EVO, the very model that will be auctioned alongside other items and Ferrari memorabilia, to raise funds to help the victims of the earthquake that hit the Emilia Romagna region. Prior to the start of Race 1 of the Trofeo Pirelli, there will also be a minutes silence in their memory.

Tomorrow’s four races, coverage of which will be broadcast in over 60 countries, while Italy will enjoy the usual coverage from Sky Sport: 10.05, Trofeo Pirelli, Race 1, live on Sky Sport 2; 12.20, Coppa Shell, Race 1, live on Sky Sport Extra; 15.05, Trofeo Pirelli, Race 2, live on Sky Sport 2; 17.20, Coppa Shell, Race 2, live on Sky Sport 2.