Manuela Gostner gears up for Ferrari Challenge UK new chapter
- RACERS
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2025 Ferrari Challenge Europe Shell Cup champion Manuela Gostner has announced a move to Ferrari Challenge UK, beginning a new chapter in her racing career as she takes on a fresh challenge in the British-based series.
2025 Ferrari Challenge Europe Shell Cup champion Manuela Gostner has announced a move to Ferrari Challenge UK, beginning a new chapter in her racing career as she takes on a fresh challenge in the British-based series.
The Italian racer, who competed at the highest levels of endurance racing as part of the all-female Iron Dames team from 2019 to 2021 - with a résumé that includes the European Le Mans Series, FIA World Endurance Championship, and two appearances at the 24 Hours of Le Mans - has been among the key protagonists of the Ferrari Challenge one-make series since 2014.
After scoring five podium finishes in ELMS, Gostner returned full-time to the Ferrari Challenge Shell Cup in 2022, immediately fighting for podiums and victories. In 2023, she secured three wins, two pole positions, and six podium finishes to end the season as championship runner-up. In 2024, Gostner added two victories and six further podiums, finishing fourth in the standings, before finally claiming the crown in 2025.
Despite a challenging start to the season, Gostner mounted an impressive comeback built on consistent podium results. A race victory at Hockenheim was followed by a dominant weekend at Valencia, where she completed a clean sweep with two wins, two pole positions, and two fastest laps to establish a decisive championship advantage.
Two additional podiums in Barcelona and Spa sealed the title, as Gostner secured her first Ferrari Challenge Europe championship in the Shell Cup.
Now ready for a new challenge, Gostner will compete in the Pirelli Trophy class of Ferrari Challenge UK with the Ineco team.
This weekend, Circuit Paul Ricard in France hosts the opening round of the 2026 Ferrari Challenge UK season, running alongside the European championship. More than fifty drivers will contest the two races scheduled for each series, with the Ferrari 296 Challenge cars racing on the 5.842-kilometre Le Castellet circuit.
It will be the only round held outside the United Kingdom for the regional championship, which will later visit Snetterton in May, Oulton Park in June, Brands Hatch in July, and Donington Park in September.
"This season I’ll be racing in the Ferrari Challenge UK, and the championship starts this week already", Gostner said. "The first round takes place at Paul Ricard, which also happens to be the only race of the season outside the UK. After such an incredible year in the Ferrari Challenge last season, where I won the Coppa Shell title, it feels exciting to start a new chapter and push again."