The Ferrari World Finals have begun at the Tuscan autodrome. The weekend is the last stage of the Shell Historic Challenge. After Thursday's free practice sessions, the timed sessions were held this morning. These would be the basis for the starting grids. The first to take to the almost dry track were the C group cars.

Irvine Laidlaw in the Ferrari 312 P set the best time. He was followed by Patrick Stieger's Ferrari 512 M and Paul Knapfield in the Ferrari 512 BB LM. The only Maserati in this group was the fabulous Type 61 driven by Carlo Voegele in twenty-second.

Stefan Schollwoeck did well to take pole in the A group. His 1937 Maserati 6CM beat off the rest of the field, including Matt Grist in the Alfa Romeo Type B in second. Peter Heuberger's Maserati 250F came third. Gigi Baulino in his 250F came in fourth with the Maserati 6CM driven by Tommaso Gelmini setting the fifth fastest time.

Four Maseratis in the top five places: this was result of the group B qualifying session. Irvine Laidlaw and his Maserati 250S took pole. Second place went to Gary Pearson on board a Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa. Third was Lukas Huni in the Maserati A6GCS; a car used by Carlo Voegele in fourth. Fifth was Carlo Burani in the Maserati 300S.

The races begin on Saturday and will be very heated. The Maseratis seem to be in fine form and are ready to add to the history of success that has also extended into this year.