Ferrari Challenge: Manuela Gostner dominates Valencia round
- RACERS
- Jun 30
- 5 min read
"From the very first session, I felt completely in sync with my car" - Manuela Gostner enjoyed a phenomenal weekend in the Ferrari Challenge Europe at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, where the Italian driver secured two pole positions, two dominant victories, and two fastest laps.
Manuela Gostner enjoyed a phenomenal weekend in the Ferrari Challenge Europe at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, where the Italian driver secured two pole positions, two dominant victories, and two fastest laps—collecting maximum points and significantly extending her lead in the Shell Cup standings.
It was a flawless weekend for the driver of the #193 Ferrari 296 Challenge operated by Ineco Reparto Corse RAM, as she led every official session, secured both pole positions with comfort, and perfectly managed tyre wear in the races. Though she made it look easy, her success was the result of a spectacularly executed performance on a circuit where tyre wear is crucial.
"I honestly don’t think many drivers get to live a weekend like this: pole position, race win, fastest lap—twice! A double hat-trick. I still can’t quite believe it!"
Heading into Round 5 of the Ferrari Challenge Europe, teams arrived at Valencia’s Circuit Ricardo Tormo—a twisty and technical track. After taking the Shell Cup points lead at the previous round in Brno with a consistent performance, Gostner aimed to maintain momentum at a venue where she’s historically performed well.
In pre-event testing, she posted the second-fastest time and then topped the official practice session with a 1:33.508, ahead of Willem Van der Vorm and NM—firmly establishing herself as the driver to beat.
"Valencia feels like home to me", she commented before the event. "I’ve raced here many times before, collecting amazing memories, pole positions, and victories that still mean a lot."
"This weekend is a whole new story, since it’s my first time here with the Ferrari 296 Challenge. We tested here in winter, but racing in full summer is a totally different game—especially when it comes to tyre wear."
"I’m happy to be leading the Ferrari Challenge Europe, but I’m keeping my feet on the ground. The competition is super close, and just a couple of points can change everything."
In Q1, Manuela immediately went to the top of the timing sheets with a 1:33.9, then improved to a 1:33.406 with best overall sectors two and three. She returned to the pits with 20 minutes remaining, holding an almost six-tenth margin on provisional pole.
Van der Vorm and Maciel both improved, but neither could get close enough—Manuela retained a three-tenth gap by the chequered flag, claiming her first pole of the season with a dominant display.
Under sunny skies, Manuela lined up on pole alongside Van der Vorm on Saturday afternoon. At lights out, both braked late, with Manuela defending the inside line and holding off challenges from both Maciel and Van der Vorm, who swapped positions into Turn 2.
It was a strong opening lap for Gostner, who made a determined start and attempted to break away. Maciel, however, remained within a second. On lap 3, Manuela set a new fastest lap with a 1:36.096, and then became the first driver to dip below the 1:36 mark, extending her gap to nearly three seconds after four laps.
Van der Vorm received a drive-through penalty before retiring, promoting John Dhillon to third. Manuela, meanwhile, continued to stretch her lead, setting purple sectors and building a six-second gap.
On lap 8, Fabrizio Fontana spun into the gravel with a puncture but limped back to the pits, and the race remained green—crucially not disrupting Manuela’s rhythm.
With 10 minutes remaining, she steadily managed the gap and the tyres. As others struggled with degradation, Manuela continued to find time—controlling the pace, managing the brakes, and extending her lead.
With under three minutes to go, Ryndziewicz spun into the gravel, but local yellows again kept the race green. Behind, Maciel and Dhillon battled for second, allowing Gostner to begin the final lap with a comfortable margin.
Manuela Gostner crossed the finish line to claim a dominant Race 1 victory—her second win of the season—and further extended her Shell Cup championship lead in a commanding rebound after a tough start to the year. She completed the first hat-trick of the weekend: pole, win, and fastest lap.
Sunday brought another warm, sunny day for Q2. Manuela again set the pace early with a 1:35.792, though this time Ryndziewicz managed to briefly better her. Unfazed, Manuela responded with a 1:33.961 and then a stunning 1:33.277, establishing a margin of over 1.5 seconds.
As the field pitted for fresh tyres, Manuela also returned to the pits—confident in her effort. Even as rivals improved on their second runs, no one could come close. Ryndziewicz narrowed the gap slightly but still trailed by four tenths. Manuela thus secured her second pole of the weekend with another commanding qualifying performance.
At lights out for Race 2, Manuela had Ryndziewicz alongside; the British driver tried to go around the outside but went wide, losing a position to NM as Manuela retained the lead amid a hectic start, which saw several contacts and a spin for Fontana.
Gostner immediately went purple and worked to pull a gap over NM, who initially kept within a second. But Manuela clocked a 1:35.242 on lap 3 and then a 1:35.088—building a comfortable buffer.
As the only driver consistently in the 1:35s, Manuela opened the gap to seven seconds by lap 8.
Even as tyre degradation set in, she remained in control—still the fastest driver on track with consistent 1:36s. NM began to struggle and came under pressure from Ryndziewicz, who eventually overtook for second in the closing minutes.
On the penultimate lap, Manuela was still the only driver lapping in the 1:37s, with her lead up to 12 seconds. She took the chequered flag unchallenged—sweeping the weekend with two poles, two wins, and two fastest laps.
"From the very first session, I felt completely in sync with my car", she commented. "We were fast every time it mattered - in the wet, in the dry, in qualifying, in the races. Every lap, every move just clicked. This kind of dominance doesn’t happen often - and I’m proud beyond words."
"Huge thank you to my amazing team, Reparto Corse RAM, for giving me the fastest car out there all weekend long. Now it’s time to celebrate this unforgettable chapter."
With 94 points, Manuela Gostner now leads the Shell Cup standings by 23 points over John Dhillon.
The next round of the Ferrari Challenge Europe is scheduled for Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on 17–20 July.
