In a landmark development for motorsport enthusiasts across the Southern Hemisphere, Ferrari’s prestigious one-make racing series, the Ferrari Challenge, is finally making its way to Australian shores. The 2025 season will mark the inaugural Ferrari Challenge Australasia, bringing the exhilarating competition, exclusive atmosphere, and the breathtaking new 296 Challenge racer to five of Australia’s most iconic circuits. This expansion represents not just another racing series, but the culmination of Ferrari’s strategic vision to grow its client racing programs globally while showcasing the extraordinary capabilities of its latest track-focused masterpiece.
The Australian Expansion: A New Chapter in Ferrari Racing
For decades, the Ferrari Challenge has captivated drivers and spectators alike with its unique blend of gentleman racers, cutting-edge Ferrari machinery, and professional racing environments. While occasional rounds have taken place in Australia over the years, 2025 will be the first time the country hosts a complete series all of its own. This places Australia in an elite group alongside Europe, North America, the UK, and Japan as official hosts of Ferrari’s celebrated racing program.
“We are delighted to announce this championship, a project our team has been working on for a long time,” stated Antonello Coletta, Global Head of Ferrari Endurance and Corse Clienti. “The introduction of the Australasia series is part of a clear strategy that began with the UK regional series and continued with the Japan series, which has been a great success in terms of participation.”
The inaugural season kicks off in spectacular fashion at one of the world’s most revered racing venues – Mount Panorama, Bathurst – as part of the prestigious Bathurst 12 Hour weekend in February 2025. Following this dramatic opener, the series will visit Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Victoria, Sydney Motorsport Park in New South Wales, and Shell V-Power Motorsport Park in South Australia. The fourth round will be particularly special – a standalone event at Sydney Motorsport Park dedicated entirely to Ferrari, featuring both the Challenge series and a round of the Passione Ferrari Club Challenge.
Two Classes, One Prancing Horse Legacy
The Ferrari Challenge Australasia will feature two distinct competition classes: the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Australasia for those piloting the new 296 Challenge, and the Ferrari Challenge Coppa Shell Australasia for entrants racing the 488 Challenge Evo. This dual-class approach ensures both owners of the latest Ferrari racing hardware and those with slightly older machinery can participate in top-flight competition.
Each round will follow the established Ferrari Challenge format with two practice sessions, two qualifying sessions, and two 30-minute races, providing competitors with ample track time to demonstrate their skills and develop their racing craft. Most importantly, participants in the Australasian series will have the coveted opportunity to compete in the Finali Mondiali – the annual season finale in Italy that brings together Challenge competitors from around the globe.
The 296 Challenge: A Racing Masterpiece
At the heart of this expansion is Ferrari’s newest track-only creation – the 296 Challenge. As the ninth model in the storied Challenge lineage dating back to the 348 Challenge of 1993, the 296 represents a significant evolutionary leap forward in performance and accessibility.
What makes the 296 Challenge truly remarkable is its perfect balance of ferocious performance and approachable dynamics. Unlike some track-focused supercars that demand professional-level skill to extract their potential, the 296 Challenge has been engineered to deliver an extraordinary experience regardless of driver experience. It’s devastatingly fast in professional hands yet remains rewarding and educational for gentleman drivers – the true genius of its design philosophy.
The 296 Challenge’s beating heart is a 120-degree twin-turbocharged V6 engine – nicknamed the “piccolo V12” by Ferrari engineers for its sonorous exhaust note that channels the spirit of Ferrari’s legendary twelve-cylinder powerplants. Unlike the road-going 296 GTB, the Challenge version forgoes hybridization, instead focusing on pure internal combustion excellence. The result is 700 horsepower (515kW) – 37 more than the road car – and a specific output of 234 hp per liter, more than any road or “road-derived” Ferrari racing car that came before it.
When unleashed on track, the 296 Challenge delivers an intoxicating sensory experience. The turbos spin at a dizzying 180,000 rpm before the wastegates open, creating a distinctive soundtrack that alternates between angry hissing under power and dramatic dump valve gasps on throttle lift. Meanwhile, the braking system – derived from Formula 1 technology – provides exceptional stopping power and feel, allowing drivers to trail-brake confidently into corners.
Aerodynamically, the 296 Challenge generates up to 870kg of downforce at 250km/h, enabling astonishing cornering speeds while remaining forgiving enough for amateur racers to explore the limits progressively. Four manettino settings – essentially two for wet and two for dry conditions – plus adjustable traction control allow the car to be tuned to individual driver ability and confidence.
Engineering Excellence With Pragmatic Sensibility
While the 296 Challenge shares much of its appearance with the GT3 racing variant, Ferrari has made intelligent engineering decisions to create a more cost-effective racing package without compromising the experience. Many carbon fiber body panels found on the GT3 are replaced with plastic alternatives in the Challenge car, significantly reducing repair costs after inevitable racing contact.
The braking system demonstrates similar pragmatism. The special CCR-M Plus carbon ceramic recipe is twice as durable but three times more thermally conductive than standard components, with Ferrari claiming a single set could potentially last an entire season – a remarkable achievement that substantially reduces running costs.
Even the tires represent thoughtful engineering. The specially developed Pirelli Challenge tires are available in just a single compound, reducing the necessary stock for each team. These unique tires are wider at the front and wear at the same rate as the rears, while also carrying Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification as one of the world’s first sustainable racing tires.
Despite these cost-saving measures, the 296 Challenge delivers stunning performance. Unbound by strict FIA regulations that govern the GT3 class, the Challenge car produces more power and achieves higher straight-line speeds than its GT3 counterpart. At Italy’s Mugello circuit, the new 296 Challenge laps a full two seconds faster than its predecessor, the 488 Challenge Evo – concrete evidence of its remarkable capabilities.
The Complete Package: More Than Just Racing
What truly sets the Ferrari Challenge apart from other racing series is the comprehensive experience offered to participants. Purchasing a 296 Challenge (at approximately $568,300 – similar to the road-going 296 GTB) doesn’t merely buy the car, but entry into an exclusive world of motorsport support and camaraderie.
Clients who enter the Challenge series receive full technical support, including a team of mechanics, engineers, and professional driver coaches. Telemetry analysis sessions with Ferrari’s expert staff help drivers extract maximum performance from both themselves and their machines. Meanwhile, premium hospitality amenities ensure the experience remains luxurious even when away from the track.
This dealer-aligned approach means customers purchase their Challenge car through their trusted Ferrari agent, who then works with Ferrari-approved teams under the guidance of AF Corse from Italy and Motokinetic in Australia. Clients can choose to keep their 296 Challenge at home if desired, but on race weekends, the full professional team springs into action to deliver a truly premium racing experience.
Building On Established Foundations
The Ferrari Challenge Australasia doesn’t represent a completely new venture for Ferrari in the region, but rather builds upon the success of the Passione Ferrari Club Challenge, which launched in 2022. As it enters its fourth season in 2025, the Passione Ferrari Club Challenge will expand to welcome all past and present Ferrari Challenge cars, from the iconic 348 Challenge onwards, providing more enthusiasts with opportunities to experience Ferrari track days.
This layered approach creates a comprehensive motorsport ladder for Ferrari owners in Australia – from track day experiences in road cars to club challenge events in older machinery, and finally to full competition in the latest purpose-built Challenge racers. The pinnacle remains the opportunity to compete internationally at the Finali Mondiali against fellow Ferrari racers from around the world.
A Prancing Horse For The People (Who Can Afford It)
While Ferrari ownership has always represented exclusivity, the Challenge series offers perhaps the most accessible pathway into Ferrari motorsport. Though certainly not inexpensive, the 296 Challenge represents remarkable value compared to Ferrari’s more extreme track-only offerings like the SF90 XX (priced at over $1.5 million) or the 296 GT3 race car (approximately $1 million).
For enthusiasts with the means, the Ferrari Challenge Australasia presents an unprecedented opportunity to experience the thrill of piloting a purpose-built Ferrari race car around Australia’s greatest circuits. Before the Challenge, one of the only ways to drive a Ferrari at iconic venues like Mount Panorama would have been to build a successful career in motorsport, eventually earning a seat in a Pro-Am GT3 program. Now, with the right connections and financial resources, that dream becomes significantly more attainable.
The Future of Ferrari Racing Down Under
The expansion of the Ferrari Challenge to Australia represents more than just another racing series – it’s a testament to the growing importance of the Australian market to Ferrari and the burgeoning motorsport culture in the region. As the first Challenge series in the Southern Hemisphere, it sets the stage for potential further expansion throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
For motorsport enthusiasts, the arrival of the Ferrari Challenge means more opportunities to witness these magnificent machines in action at Australia’s premier racing venues. For Ferrari owners and aspiring racers, it creates a clear pathway into competitive motorsport with the support of one of the world’s most prestigious automotive brands.
As deliveries of the 296 Challenge begin ahead of the season opener at Bathurst, anticipation builds for what promises to be a spectacular addition to Australia’s motorsport landscape. The unmistakable sound of Ferrari engines at full song, the flash of scarlet through Mount Panorama’s famous corners, and the intense competition between passionate owners will undoubtedly create memories that last a lifetime.
The Ferrari Challenge may have been 32 years in the making, but for Australian Ferrari enthusiasts, the wait appears to have been worth it. As the 296 Challenge prepares to make its competitive debut on Australian soil, a new chapter in Ferrari’s racing legacy begins – one that will be written on the sweeping curves of Phillip Island, the technical challenges of Sydney Motorsport Park, and the hallowed tarmac of Mount Panorama.
Ferrari’s famous founder, Enzo Ferrari, once said, “Racing is a great alchemy, a drama in which truth and lies, bad and good, poor and rich, and crazy and wise all intermingle.” In 2025, Australian drivers and fans will finally have the opportunity to experience that alchemy firsthand through the Ferrari Challenge Australasia – a perfect marriage of Italian passion and Australian racing heritage, delivered with the unmistakable style and performance that only Ferrari can provide.
Ferrari Challenge Australia 2025 Calendar:
- Round 1: Mount Panorama, Bathurst (with Bathurst 12 Hour)
- Round 2: Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Victoria
- Round 3: Sydney Motorsport Park, New South Wales
- Round 4: Sydney Motorsport Park (Ferrari standalone event)
- Round 5: Shell V-Power Motorsport Park, South Australia