Kessel Racing returned to the 2024 season of the Ferrari Challenge as reigning champions and set yet another year to remember: With a total of eleven Pole Positions, nine race victories and four second and third podium finishes across two classes, Kessel Racing secured the Vice Championship Team Title whilst Henry Hassid went on to become COPPA SHELL Driver Champion as well as World Champion in the Finali Mondiali.
2024 saw the premiere for the new Ferrari 296 Challenge after a successful run with the Ferrari 488. Ernst Kirchmayr joined from round 5 in Paul Ricard to complete the three-car line-up in COPPA SHELL and immediately showed a strong performance by qualifying in sixth place and narrowly missing out on a podium. The Austrian continued his progress and took race victories both at the Nürburgring and at Imola.
The dominator of the COPPA SHELL was undoubtedly Henry Hassid, wo set the tone from the start of the season at Mugello. The Frenchman went on to record a total of eight Pole Positions, six race wins, four second and two third places – and was crowned Driver Champion one round before the end of the season. With a podium and a race win under his belt, the champion also won the World Title in the Finali Mondiali rounding up a perfect season.
The third driver, Fons Scheltema, celebrated his 20th season racing in the Ferrari Challenge, however he was struck by bad luck on numerous occasions. “The Shark” brought home five solid point results that added up to the team’s great performance to win the Team Vice Championship in COPPA SHELL.
Kessel Racing had two entries in the COPPA SHELL AM with Rookie Jan Sandmann and routineer and historic client Stephen Earle. It was the first-ever season of professionally racing for Jan Sandmann after only completing his racing license the previous winter. After getting to know the championship, the German evolved quickly and placed his Ferrari on Pole Position twice. A fantastic race victory in Portimao and another two podium finishes put him in 5thplace in the drivers’ standings. Stephen Earle proofed his fighting spirits in several races and had his personal best by finishing in a fantastic fourth position in Paul Ricard, whilst being the first American driver in the Finali Mondiali.
The 2024 Ferrari Challenge was a season of many highlights and victories, and Kessel Racing is looking forward to continuing its road to success in the coming year.