Neubauer and Engstler win the Ferrari Finali Mondiali. The 499P and 296 GT3 take the applause

All eyes were on the heart-stopping traditional Ferrari Show which, as well as the exhibition by various Formula 1 single-seaters from the recent past, were able to witness the debut of the two latest Maranello models: the 499P, officially unveiled at Saturday’s gala evening, with which Ferrari, fifty years after the last participation, will tackle the prestigious FIA WEC series in 2023, and the 296 GT3, destined to take the reins from the multi-race winner, the Ferrari 488 GT3.

Finali Mondiali Trofeo Pirelli. At the end of a gripping race, with six drivers taking the fight down to the wire, it was Thomas Neubauer first past the finish line, winning the race that will see him crowned 2022 World Champion. Starting from pole position, the young Frenchman, after a Safety Car entrance to clean up the track following some mid-pack collisions – without any consequences for the drivers involved – managed to fend off the attacks from Eliseo Donno (CDP – Best Lap). The Italian driver’s exit from the scene, forced to withdraw minutes from the end, gave John Wartique (FML – D2P) the all-clear, who, nevertheless, had to eventually settle for second place, ahead of the champion of the Trofeo Pirelli Europe, Doriane Pin (Scuderia Niki – Iron Lynx), third. Just off the podium was the 2021 champion, Luka Nurmi (Formula Racing), who was able to take advantage of a slip-up in the finale by former Formula 1 driver Adrian Sutil (Gohm Motorsport), fifth.

Nestled in the group of cars in the main class, Marco Pulcini (Al Tayer Motors) turned his pole position into a triumph that saw him crowned Am class world champion. Prematurely out of contention were two of the most accredited contenders, the recently-crowned European champion Ange Barde (SF Côte d’Azur Cannes – IB Fast) and Nicolò Rosi (Kessel Racing). The Italian driver, who also produced the fastest lap time of 1’45″236, finished on the podium ahead of Nigel Schoonderwoerd (Scuderia FMA – Iron Lynx), second, and Christian Brunsborg (Formula Racing), winner in 2021, third.

Finali Mondiali Coppa Shell. After winning the European series, Franz Engstler also snatched the world title, thanks to a race that saw him in clean air throughout. Starting from the first position on the grid, the Scuderia GT flagbearer gradually gained the advantage over his season-long rival, Axel Sartingen (Lueg Sportivo – Herter Racing), runner-up at the end, and over Ernst Kirchmayr (Baron Motorsport), third, crossing the finish line alone, with the fastest lap of 1’44″979.

Joakim Olander (Scuderia Autoropa) is the new Am class world champion, at the end of a hard fought, gripping battle with Peter Christensen (Formula Racing), reigning champion, and Alexander Nussbaumer (Gohm Motorsport – Herter Racing), winner of the 2021 European series. The Swedish driver, who started from pole position, managed to effectively fend off any overtaking attempts from his most immediate pursuers, taking the chequered flag with the best lap time of 1’45″392.

Ferrari Show. At the end of the Finali Mondiali, the fans at Imola were able to enjoy the Ferrari Show, highlighted by the latest two models from the Maranello lineage: the 499P, destined to race in the FIA WEC from 2023, making its first public appearance with Alessandro Pier Guidi at the wheel, and the 296 GT3 driven by Alessio Rovera, making its dynamic debut on the track named after Enzo and Dino Ferrari. Accompanying them on track were Formula 1 F60 and SF71-H single-seaters driven by Giancarlo Fisichella, Andrea Bertolini, Davide Rigon and Olivier Beretta, as well as some protagonists from the 30-year history of the Ferrari Challenge: 348 Challenge, F355 Challenge, 360 Challenge, F430 Challenge, 458 Challenge Evo and 488 Challenge Evo. Other Ferrari 488 GTEs and GT3s also took part, two of them with special livery: one dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the series and the other commemorating the feat of over 500 competitive wins for the car throughout the world. Competizioni GT drivers Antonio Fuoco, James Calado, Miguel Molina, Daniel Serra and Nicklas Nielsen handled the cars on track. Completing the line-up were other cars that have competed in the single-marque series that was first organised in 1993, and the models from the XX Programme.

With Goffredo Mameli’s piano rendition of the Italian national anthem, the show ended with a fly-past from two Eurofighters from Aeronautica Militare di Grosseto’s 4th Stormo air force squadron that flew over the circuit, celebrating their connection with the company from Modena. Indeed, both the fighters and the Maranello cars adorn the Prancing Horse symbol, which Enzo Ferrari used for the first time on the Scuderia cars 90 years ago at the Spa 24 Hours. The historic symbol featured on flying ace Francesco Baracca’s SPAD S.XIII biplane, which the aviator’s mother later gave to Ferrari himself as a lucky charm. In fact, it was a model of the SPAD S.XIII that got the afternoon’s parade underway.

Prize-giving. Saturday hosted the gala evening in a resplendent setting, enhanced by a display of the principal cars that have helped make Ferrari history. The event featured the world premiere of the 499P, accompanied by the 24 Hours of Le Mans Centenary Trophy, unveiled at the last edition of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, which will be awarded to the winning manufacturer of the forthcoming edition of the world’s most renowned endurance race. A trophy of particular historical value, which will be conferred next June when one of the rounds of the Ferrari Challenge Europe and North America is held during the weekend of the world’s longest-running endurance race.

The 499P was unveiled in the presence of John Elkann, Ferrari Executive Chairman, Piero Ferrari, Vice Chairman, Benedetto Vigna, Chief Executive Officer, Enrico Galliera, Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer and Antonello Coletta, Head of Ferrari Attività Sportive GT.

Also garlanded during the evening were the winners of the Europe, North America and UK series of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli, as well as the announcement of the venue for the next Ferrari Finali Mondiali 2023, to be held from 24-30 October at Mugello.