Finali Mondiali: Ferrari party at Mugello

11-07-2011

Last Sunday, 6 November, was the last day of the Finali Mondiali Ferrari at the Mugello circuit, the nineteenth running of the event that gives fans from around the world the chance to see competitors in all Ferrari’s racing and sporting activities together in one place. At the Tuscan track, the 458s and F430s in the Italian, European, North American and Asia Pacific series of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli were fighting it out for the world title. The busy programme also featured some untimed sessions for historic Formula 1 cars, run by Maranello’s F1 Clienti Department, as well as the FXX and 599XX from the eponymous development programmes.

After the exciting racing came an equally spectacular parade of Ferraris which got underway with over fifty Ferrari owners driving past the main grandstand which was coloured white, red and green in honour of 150 years of Italian Unity. Bringing the amazing first run to a close were three 458 Spiders carrying president Luca di Montezemolo, vice-president, Piero Ferrari, managing director Amedeo Felisa and the Scuderia’s team principal Stefano Domenicali as well as the drivers Marc Gene and Giancarlo Fisichella. Both drivers did a few laps as well as simulating pit stops at the wheel of an F10 and an F2008, as a final farewell to the fans from the Maranello marque.

Gené said: “It was a very special weekend. Racing at Mugello (one of the best tracks in the world) with the F2008 and Giancarlo Fisichella in front of the tifosi crowd was a unique sensation. The show was great and all fans had a fabulous day with nice weather. Seeing all those different types of Ferrari makes you realise that Ferrari is more than just a car manufacturer. I went to the circuit with my children and they also had a great day as there was a circuit for kids from 2 years old. Really amazing.

The title among the Trofeo Pirelli runners went to Lorenzo Bontempelli to add to his International GT Open crown. Behind the Kessel Racing driver came Alexander Skryabin (Ferrari Moscow) and Philipp Baron (Baron Service) while among the gentleman drivers in the Coppa Shell, the title went to Giacomo Stratta (Forza,) who crossed the line ahead of Philippe Prette (Motor/Malucelli) and Andrii Kruglyk (Ferrari Moscow.) Having assured himself of the Italian crown, Andrea Belluzzi also took the world title for the F430 runners in his Motor/Modena car, ahead of Riccardo Ragazzi (Ineco/Ram) and Diego Romanini (Rossocorsa/Pellin.)