Ferrari Driver Disqualified and Suspended After Wild Mugello Crash in Ferrari Challenge Finals
While Formula 1 fans were fixated on the Mexican Grand Prix last weekend, another dramatic motorsport showdown unfolded in Italy — the Ferrari Challenge Finals at the iconic Mugello Circuit. The event, known as the Finali Mondiali, is Ferrari’s grand annual celebration, bringing together the best drivers from its regional championships across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific. However, the weekend’s spotlight was unexpectedly stolen by a chaotic incident that led to a driver’s disqualification and suspension.
The Ferrari Challenge Europe season wrapped up at Mugello with two decisive races that would crown the continental champion. Heading into the event, Swiss driver Felix Hirsiger held an eight-point advantage over his rival Jasin Ferati, both of whom had been fiercely competitive throughout the season. Hirsiger’s team, Reparto Corse, made a controversial strategic move before the final races — they fielded an additional Ferrari 296 Challenge car, driven by Italian racer Fabrizio Crestani, in what appeared to be an attempt to strengthen their championship position.
Unfortunately, what began as a tactical move quickly spiraled into one of the most controversial moments in the Ferrari Challenge’s history.
The Qualifying Chaos
The drama unfolded during the combined qualifying session that set the grid for both of the weekend’s races. During this session, Crestani was accused of deliberately impeding Ferati, who was trying to set a fast lap time. According to race stewards, Crestani executed multiple blocking maneuvers — including forcing Ferati off the racing line and even onto the grass.
The situation escalated when Crestani’s aggressive driving led to contact with another car from Emil Frey Racing, Ferati’s team. The resulting collision sent both cars sliding off into the gravel trap, effectively ending Ferati’s qualifying session. With no valid lap time, Ferati was forced to start both races from the back of the grid.
Race officials acted swiftly, reviewing onboard footage and telemetry before issuing a decisive ruling. Crestani was disqualified from the qualifying session and handed an immediate suspension that barred him from participating in any remaining events during the five-day Ferrari celebration at Mugello.
In an official statement, the Ferrari Challenge stewards condemned the act, saying:
> “Crestani’s actions fall well short of the sportsmanship and respect that have defined the Ferrari Challenge since its inception in 1993.”
The team Reparto Corse faced heavy criticism online and within the paddock, as many viewed the incident as an unsporting attempt to manipulate the championship outcome in Hirsiger’s favor.
Ferati’s Remarkable Fightback
Despite the setback, Jasin Ferati refused to give up. Starting from the back of the grid in Race 1, the Swiss driver mounted a stunning comeback, overtaking more than a dozen competitors to finish sixth on the road — a testament to his speed and determination.
Initially, it appeared that his rival Hirsiger had extended his championship lead by finishing second, giving him an additional eight points. However, the weekend’s drama was far from over. After the race, Emil Frey Racing lodged a technical protest against Hirsiger’s car. Upon inspection, stewards discovered that his steering wheel was missing a small plastic component, which, although seemingly minor, constituted a clear breach of the Ferrari Challenge’s technical regulations.
As a result, Hirsiger was disqualified from Race 1, nullifying his points and completely changing the dynamics of the championship battle. Ferati’s P6 finish was upgraded to P5, and he suddenly found himself leading the standings by just two points going into the season finale.
The Final Showdown
With the title on the line, both drivers entered Race 2 knowing that every position mattered. Hirsiger, starting from pole position, knew he had to win to reclaim the championship. Ferati, meanwhile, had the daunting task of starting 24th after another challenging qualifying session.
When the lights went out, Hirsiger drove flawlessly, maintaining his composure under immense pressure to take victory at Mugello. Ferati once again demonstrated his fighting spirit, climbing an incredible 19 places to finish fifth, but it wasn’t enough to overtake his rival in the points.
After a season of intense rivalry, Hirsiger ultimately clinched the Ferrari Challenge Europe title, though the celebrations were somewhat overshadowed by the controversy surrounding his teammate’s earlier actions.
A Tainted Triumph
The Ferrari Challenge has long been celebrated as a championship built on respect, precision, and passion — values deeply rooted in Ferrari’s motorsport legacy. However, the Mugello incident cast a shadow over what should have been a purely competitive finale.
Fans and fellow competitors were left divided: while many praised Ferati’s resilience and sportsmanship, others questioned whether Hirsiger’s victory would have been possible without Crestani’s earlier interference.
As the dust settled, Ferrari reiterated its commitment to maintaining integrity across all its racing programs, emphasizing that any form of unsporting behavior would continue to be met with severe consequences.
What was meant to be a celebration of Ferrari’s racing spirit thus became a stark reminder of the importance of fairness in motorsport — and how quickly a single act can turn a championship battle into a cautionary tale.
