Ferrari Challenge Japan

Proving that speed is valid in e-sports races

The Ferrari Challenge is a one-make race contested by the 296 Challenge. Round 2 of the Japanese series, Ferrari Challenge Japan, was held at Autopolis. Rain was predicted for Saturday, so qualifying for Race 1 was hastily held on Friday. Even though the weather cleared up on Saturday, rain started again just before the final, making the race a challenge at the mercy of the weather. However, there were no major crashes and a heated battle unfolded.

As is typical of a gentlemen’s race, drivers are divided into classes according to their skill. First, there is the top class Trofeo Pirelli and the entry-level Coppa Shell, which are then further divided into Expert and Amateur (Am) classes, for a total of four classes.

In the Trofeo Pirelli, first-time sim racer Sota Muto took pole position in qualifying, beating second place by approximately 1.5 seconds, and maintained a consistent performance throughout the final. He won with an overwhelming speed of nearly 20 seconds over second place after 15 laps, proving that the speed he exhibits in eSports races translates to real-life racing. In the Trofeo Pirelli Am, second-place qualifier Yasutaka Shirasaki overtook first-place qualifier Motohiko Isozaki to win.

Phill Kim showed speed comparable to the top class

Coppa Shell also entered three cars, and Phill Kim, who qualified first, drove hard from start to finish to take his third consecutive pole-to-win. Phill Kim showed his strength by finishing fifth overall, among the Trofeo Pirelli Am competitors.

In the Coppa Shell AM, which was contested by 11 cars, Norikazu Shibata, who qualified first, led the race from start to finish. In the inaugural Trofeo Pirelli 488 Challenge Evo, three cars competed, and Yosuke Yamaki, who qualified first, won the race.

The Ferrari Challenge Japan Round 2 Race 1 took place in difficult conditions, with dry conditions for qualifying and practice, but heavy wet conditions for the final, but all drivers drove cleverly and fairly.

Check out the Ferrari Challenge Japan 2025 Round 2 Autopolis Race 1 video! [LIVE]

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