Today saw the first qualifying sessions for the 2006 Ferrari World Finals held at Monza (Milan.) The event (advanced sales: www.ticketone.it ) that brings the Prancing Horse racing season to a close got underway with the Ferrari Challenge Pirelli Trophy and the Shell Ferrari Historic Challenge championships, with the historic cars first tackling free practice while the F430 Challenge cars had their qualifying sessions.

In the Italian series of the one-make championship, the fastest time went to Vito Postiglione (Stile F,) while in the European/North American part, quickest was British driver Ross Kaiser (Ferrari GB Dealer Team.) In the European section of the Shell Cup for gentlemen drivers, pole in race-1 went to the Monegasque racer, Philippe Prette (Auto Palace/Star Rent Competition.)

Completing the busy programme, runs for the laboratory car from the exclusive FXX Programme, the display of single-seaters prepared by the Maranello F1 Clienti department and the demonstration run from Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, which is the key moment of the final day, which will also serve as a tribute to Michael Schumacher's Formula 1 career. Also taking part and adding some extra excitement, the parachutists of the Brigata Folgore.


A special initiative, also on Sunday, concerns the Scuderia Ferrari Club with some members taking part in the final round of the 2006 Soap Box race, for four wheeled vehicles without engines, based on the imaginative designs of these enthusiasts.

Tomorrow, the event really gets into gear with the opening races of the Ferrari F430 Challenge and with a display of historic cars prepared by the Maranello F1 Clienti department, which include a 1953 500 F2, two 312T from 1975, three 1991 F1-91 and several cars raced by Michael Schumacher.