The Shell Ferrari Maserati Historic Challenge is taking place this weekend at the Fernanda Pires da Silva circuit in Portugal. The meet is part of the Estoril Historic Festival, one of the most prestigious international events in 2005 dedicated to classic cars. Of course, Ferrari is one of the main players. The Shell Ferrari Maserati Historic Challenge classic cars are appearing at this track for the first time. The spectators were able to enjoy the excitement in the paddock area and in the stands.

At the end of today's qualifying session, Josè Albuquerque's Maserati 250 F (1954) set the fastest time among the single-seaters and the cars fitted with drum brakes. Behind the Portuguese driver came Peter Heuberger in the 1956 250 F and the Ferrari 625 F1 (1952) driven by Brit Alexander Boswell.

In the group of sport-prototypes and GT models with disc brakes, three Ferrari 512 BB LMs from 1980-1 set the fastest times. The British driver Paul Knapfield topped the timesheet. Next came John Bosch from Holland and then Italian Massimo Sordi.