Amidst the scenic beauty of the Balaton Park circuit in Hungary, the Ferrari Challenge race brought excitement and unexpected turns. The stage was set with perfect weather conditions, and the drivers were ready. With the glistening Balaton Lake as the backdrop, it was race day for the Ferrari Challenge, featuring both the 488 and the new 296 cars battling it out.
The air was buzzing with anticipation as 18 drivers lined up on the grid, including last year’s Copa Shell AM champion Motoo Isaki and the emotional and passionate Manuela Gostner, who had earned her place in P1 during qualifying. Joining the grid were local favorites Tibor and Ben Valint, both looking to make their mark.
As the race began, Henry Hassid quickly proved himself to be a force, challenging Gostner for the lead from the get-go. Their battle was intense, with Hassid pushing the limits and receiving multiple warnings for track violations. Despite this, Gostner held her ground with flawless defensive driving, keeping Hassid at bay for much of the race.
Drama struck when halfway through the race, Hassid managed to get past Gostner, who then suffered an unfortunate puncture, forcing her out of contention. With Hassid in the lead but carrying a five-second penalty for track limits, the tension shifted to whether he could maintain enough speed to stay ahead of Andreas Ritze and John Dillon.
Ritze, who had a relatively quiet but strategic race, was informed late about Hassid’s penalty. Pushing hard in the final laps, Ritze managed to close the gap just enough to win the race after Hassid’s penalty was applied. Dillon capitalized on the drama to secure a podium finish in third place.
In the 488 class, Fabrizio Fontana continued his stellar performance with another win, celebrating not only his victory but also his birthday. Tommy Lindroth and Neil San Branson took the remaining podium spots in a competitive race that saw Lindroth climbing up from lower positions.
The race at Balaton Park was a rollercoaster of emotions. From the thrilling start and intense battles to the heartache of Gostner’s misfortune and the strategic drives by Ritze and Dillon – it had everything. The next round promises more excitement as the series continues.
The Balaton Park race was a testament to the spirit of racing – full of passion, strategy, and unpredictability. Congratulations to all the winners and participants for an unforgettable event. As the Ferrari Challenge continues, more thrilling races are on the horizon.
