The 458 Challenge car was up to the task, confirming its high performance credentials. Over the past two seasons it has already justified its choice as the car to bring Ferraris one-make series to life, raising the level of competition in the championship, both in Europe and around the world. Monza is the first of the rounds on Italian soil, the other being at Imola on 29 September.

It promises to be a very interesting season with some rounds running on the same card as prestigious races such as the Le Mans 24 Hours (19-22 June.) The series also returns to Hockenheim after a four year break, where it will feature as part of the European Ferrari Racing Days, together with the decision on the venue for celebrating the end of the 2013 racing season with its fans at the Mugello track (Finali Mondiali 7-10 November).The day began with the final qualifying sessions and fastest in the Trofeo Pirelli was Dario Caso (1.51.617). The CDP team standard bearer out-paced Lorenzo Cas (1.51.786- Forza Service) and Daniel Mancinelli (1.51.860- Motor/Piacenza), while in the Coppa Shell, the top three were David Gostner (1.52.902-Ineco/MP), Dirk Adamski (1.52.946- Autohaus Saggio) and Giosu Rizzuto (1.52.958- Motor/Malucelli).The afternoon then featured the first two races, each lasting 30 minutes. Victory in the Trofeo Pirelli went to Lorenzo Cas, followed past the flag by Stefano Gai and Daniel Mancinelli. Coming out best of the Coppa Shell runners was Dirk Adamski (Autohaus Saggio), winner of the Over 50s in the Coppa Gentleman, with Andrii Lebed (Team Ukraine) and David Gostner (Ineco/MP) taking second and third places. Of the Under 30s competing for the Coppa Giovani top honor went to Stefano Gai.Today features the last two races at 10.00 (Trofeo Pirelli) and 14.30 (Coppa Shell,) both shown live on SKY Sport in Italy, with replays during the week, while 60 other countries will also broadcast coverage of the event.