It was a weekend to remember for Max Mugelli and the Eureka Competition team at the second round of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Europe, held at the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello. In front of his home crowd, Max secured victory in Race 2 of the Trofeo Pirelli in the PRO class, thereby claiming the top step of the podium at the Scarperia circuit.
The Tuscan weekend took place against a backdrop of huge turnout, with numerous enthusiasts and fans in the stands, including representatives from 23 Scuderia Ferrari Clubs from Italy and abroad, watching the Ferrari 296 Challenge cars in action on the undulating Mugello circuit.
The first race of the weekend saw Max Mugelli take centre stage right from the start. The home rider managed an intense race with great composure, finishing second in the Pirelli PRO Trophy and securing his third consecutive podium of the season following those achieved at Le Castellet.
Race 2 proved to be a perfect day. Starting from second on the grid in his class, Mugelli took the lead on the third lap after the Spanish frontrunner Paulet suffered a puncture, and then managed the lead with composure right up to the chequered flag, making no mistakes and securing his third career victory in the Ferrari Challenge – his second at Mugello.
A victory of enormous symbolic significance for the Tuscan driver, who lives just a few kilometres from the circuit and is back on the winners’ podium at Scarperia more than twenty years after his first victory there, achieved in 2000 in a Ferrari 355 Challenge, followed by his win at Vallelunga in 2004 in a Ferrari 360. Today, the circle is complete with his victory at the wheel of the Ferrari 296!
Thanks to the points he picked up in Races 1 and 2, Mugelli has moved up to second place in the overall standings, just behind Paulet.
Max Mugelli
“What a joy, guys! Winning in front of the home crowd here at Mugello makes it all even more special. Giving my supporters and loved ones moments like these is a unique pleasure.
A huge thank you goes to the guys on my team led by Tina: we’re the smallest team in the Challenge, but everyone knows what they have to do and the chemistry between us is great—which is exactly why this victory feels like a real achievement, but a well-deserved one.
In both races, my main focus was on not jeopardizing the result, avoiding potential risks, and doing whatever it took to get the car to the finish line—even if that meant sacrificing performance in some sections, but prioritizing reliability.
I have to admit that luck was on my side in Race 2 this time, given that Paulet—who was leading the race at the time—had a flat tire, but it’s also true that I’ve been really unlucky on other occasions, so I’m fine with it.
Given a few withdrawals in the PRO class, it was crucial to rack up points that will be vital as the championship progresses. What can I say… mission accomplished!
Starting today, though, we’re turning our attention to the Red Bull Ring in Austria, where we’ll race in mid-May. The goal is to further improve our qualifying performance on a track that I like and that suits my driving style.”
