The Ferrari Challenge sees red at Le Mans

The second race of the Ferrari Challenge Europe unfortunately ended prematurely under a red flag after two incidents on track.

Last meeting of the Classic Ferrari for sale Challenge Europe before the start of the 94th edition of the 24 Hours of Le MansRace 2, held on Saturday morning, offered a frustrating scenario but one that revealed the intensity of the field. After the race was interrupted less than five minutes from the checkered flag, Dylan Medler (The Collection) was declared the winner ahead of Sergio Paulet (Ineco – Reparto Corse RAM) and Michael Verhagen (Ferrari Warszawa).

The start of the race had gone remarkably well, despite the presence of some sixty Ferrari 296 Challenge cars on the 13,626 km Le Mans circuit. The main contenders at the front quickly found their rhythm, with Medler overtaking Paulet while Verhagen took the lead in the Trofeo Pirelli Am.

A parade to mark the end of the race

The race took a dramatic turn halfway through when a very violent collision involving Enzo Ide (No. 22) and Andrew Morrow (No. 4) brought out a lengthy safety car period. After several laps behind the safety car, race control finally decided to restart the race with five minutes remaining, raising hopes for a thrilling final sprint.

This epilogue, however, never took place. A new incident during the restart caused the red flag to be waved and brought the proceedings to a definitive end, freezing the standings at five laps completed.

Behind the Trofeo Pirelli podium of Medler, Paulet, and Fernando Monje, Michael Verhagen won the Trofeo Pirelli Am ahead of Blake McDonald and Danilo Del Favero. In the Coppa Shell, Mitchell Green took the victory ahead of Yahn Bernier and Ernst Kirchmayr, while Jean Ryu won the Coppa Shell Am.

While this conclusion inevitably leaves a feeling of incompleteness, it shouldn't overshadow the quality of the spectacle offered throughout the weekend. In the exceptional setting of the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit, the Ferrari Challenge Europe competitors once again demonstrated the series' competitiveness and provided a tantalizing appetizer for the tens of thousands of spectators already present before the start of the legendary Le Mans race.