The first European season ran in 1993, backed by Pirelli. A North American series followed in 1994. What began as the Ferrari Challenge Italy — which distinguished professional drivers competing in the Trofeo Pirelli class from amateur gentleman drivers in the Coppa Shell — eventually expanded into a multi-region structure. The Italian series was subsequently discontinued, and its two-class format was absorbed into the European series.
Regional series that followed include Ferrari Challenge UK, launched in 2019 at circuits including Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, and Snetterton; Ferrari Challenge Japan, which began in 2023 with five rounds at Fuji, Autopolis, Suzuka, and Sugo; and Ferrari Challenge Australasia, launched in 2025. A Ferrari Challenge Asia-Pacific series operated from 2011 to 2022 with events in Japan, China, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. A Middle East series was announced at the 2025 Finali Mondiali for the 2026–27 season, with rounds at Bahrain International Circuit, Lusail International Circuit, Jeddah Corniche Circuit, and Yas Marina Circuit.
The North American series is sanctioned by IMSA and in 2024 served as a support race for the Las Vegas Grand Prix Formula 1 event at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
The current European championship operates with four classes: Trofeo Pirelli for outright professional competition, Trofeo Pirelli Am for amateur professionals, Coppa Shell, and Coppa Shell Am. The North American series uses the same Trofeo Pirelli and Coppa Shell division.
From 2013, the major regional series have combined for a single World Finals event in which competitors across all series and both main class structures — Trofeo Pirelli and Coppa Shell — race together. Ferrari recognises the winners of each class at this event as world champions.
Over more than 30 years the championship has been contested with nine Ferrari models, each derived from the marque's road car range and modified for competition use. The lineage is as follows: Ferrari 348 Challenge (1993–1995), F355 Challenge (1995–2000), 360 Modena Challenge (2000–2006), F430 Challenge (2006–2011), 458 Challenge (2011–2013), 458 Challenge Evo (2014–2016), 488 Challenge (2017–2020), 488 Challenge Evo (2020–present), and 296 Challenge (2024–present).
Key technical milestones include the introduction of carbon-ceramic brake discs on the F430 Challenge, which also gained approximately 80 hp over its predecessor and reduced lap times to within three seconds of the F430 GT2. The 458 Challenge was the first Ferrari Challenge car to offer driver-adjustable aids including traction control, stability management, and ABS brakes. Some 360 Modena Challenge cars were made road-legal in Australia with extensive modification, though subsequent legislation made this no longer possible.
The Ferrari Challenge series has been represented in several racing simulation titles. In 1999, Sega producer Yu Suzuki created Ferrari F355 Challenge: Passione Rossa, a dedicated arcade and home game built around the F355 series. In 2008, System 3 released Ferrari Challenge: Trofeo Pirelli, the official licensed game of the championship featuring the F430 Challenge across the Italian, European, and North American 2007 seasons. The series also appeared in Test Drive: Ferrari Racing Legends in 2012, and in 2024 the 296 Challenge was added to iRacing.
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