Ferrari Challenge UK - Bradley Yates perfect triple in Trofeo Pirelli, Hunter takes victory

Le Castellet, Saturday 14 March 2026. The inaugural race of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli UK season kicked off in the south of France at the legendary Paul Ricard circuit in Le Castellet. In front of a passionate crowd, the drivers tackled the fast-flowing circuit in both wet and dry conditions throughout the day. Official Ferrari Driver, Alessio Rovera, was Driver Steward for the event, and also presented the podium trophies.

Qualifying 1. Heavy rain in the morning resulted in a wet qualifying session. In Trofeo Pirelli, Bradley Yates (Charles Hurst) claimed pole in his debut season with a time of 2:18:806 following a competitive session with less than one second separating the top four. In Coppa Shell, newcomer Christopher Beighton (Graypaul Nottingham) posted the fastest qualifying lap of 2:20:294 to secure pole position, with the top four in that class separated by less than half-a-second, and six new drivers entering the UK series this year. 

Race 1. Trofeo Pirelli. The front row of the Trofeo Pirelli class featured a new driver to the UK series: B.Yates on Pole Position, and last year’s Coppa Shell champion, Mike Dewhirst (Dick Lovett Swindon) alongside him in 2nd place. Two-time Trofeo Pirelli Champion Gilbert Yates (Charles Hurst) started from the second row.

Although they are father and son, the fight between Gilbert and Bradley was extremely close and fair, with Gilbert gaining the upper hand within the first couple of laps, taking the lead into the first chicane. However, the younger Yates performed an excellent overtake on the inside of his father at the halfway mark, and quickly opened up a 2 second lead, while Manuela Gostner (Ineco) closed the gap to Yates in 2nd place. Dewhirst made a valiant effort to chase down the experienced Gostner but couldn’t gain any ground and finished the race in 4th, only one second ahead of Joseph Dean (Stratstone Colchester).

Bradley Yates clinched the victory to complete a perfect first race, with points for Pole, Fastest Lap and Race Win. His father, however, received a five second penalty for exceeding track limits, allowing Gostner, the series’ first female driver, to leapfrog him onto the 2nd step of the podium.

Coppa Shell. Another series newcomer in 2026, Beighton started from Pole Position in the Coppa Shell class, but it was Darren Howell (JCT600 Leeds) who took the lead into the first corner. Series veteran Peter Hunter (Stratstone Manchester) quickly made up for a disappointing qualifying position (7th) and completed the first lap in a remarkable 2nd position in class, overtaking Beighton and chasing down Howell. Hunter took the win, and Howell finished second.

There was a closely fought battle in the mid-field, but ultimately, it was Beighton who secured the last step of the podium, with an impressive drive for his first time in the UK series. Italian driver Andrea Seminara (HR Owen) had a close battle behind Beighton, being chased hard by Sean Ran (HR Owen) and William Bolster (Charles Hurst) for the majority of the race. Huseyn Sert (Maranello Sales) and John Turner (Stratstone Manchester) made up the final positions at the end of the race. 

Next Race. Racing action continues tomorrow at Paul Ricard circuit in the Ferrari Challenge UK series. Q2 commences at 10:20am, followed by Race 2 at 16:30pm.

14 marzo 2026