The 2025 Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Japan reached its climax with Round 5, Race 2 at Okayama International Circuit, featuring a grid of 23 Ferrari 296 Challenge cars and two 488 Challenge Evo machines. As forecast, heavy showers swept across the circuit on Sunday, creating demanding wet conditions for the decisive championship showdown.
With an unseasonably cool temperature of just 25°C, grip levels were unpredictable, putting both driver skill and race strategy to the test. Across all classes, contenders fought hard—some securing their titles with strong performances, others holding off fierce challenges to the very last lap—bringing the season to a memorable close.
In Trofeo Pirelli, Sota Muto (M.Auto Italia) dominated in the wet, converting pole position into victory to seal his first championship in style. Trofeo Pirelli Am honors went to Yamatatsu (Cornes Osaka), while in Coppa Shell, Masaru Yoneda (Cornes Osaka) also claimed a commanding pole-to-flag win. Coppa Shell Am produced one of the day’s defining moments as Takeshi Shogaki (Cornes Shiba) surged to his maiden victory with a last-lap pass. In the 488 Challenge Evo class, Michito Hirota (Gran Testa Nagano) completed a perfect weekend with back-to-back wins at Okayama.
Trofeo Pirelli: In Trofeo Pirelli class, which featured four entries, pole position went to Muto, currently second in the points standings. In the race, he showcased the same dominant pace as in qualifying, pulling away from front-row rival Nobuhiro Imada (Rosso Scuderia) and taking a commanding pole-to-flag victory to secure the series championship. Anna Inotsume (Auto Speciale), who finished second in Race 1, claimed third place.
In the 488 Challenge Evo class, Yosuke Yamaki (Gran Testa Nagano), who had already sealed the series title with his Race 1 result, started from pole. In the race, Race 1 winner Michito Hirota moved up from second on the grid, making the decisive overtake on lap three to secure back-to-back victories at Okayama International Circuit.
Coppa Shell. The Coppa Shell class also saw four cars on the grid. Yoneda, second in the standings, started from pole and led from start to finish for a flawless pole-to-flag win. Points leader Phil Kim (Nicole Competizione) fought back from fourth on the grid to finish second, bringing the two drivers level on points. However, Kim’s fastest lap bonus secured him just enough to defend his series championship.
In Coppa Shell Am, nine cars lined up on the grid. Points leader Alex Fox (Yanase Fiorano Motori) demonstrated outstanding speed in the rain-soaked and challenging conditions to claim pole position. In the race, however, Takeshi Shogaki charged from fourth on the grid, pulling off a dramatic last-lap pass just after a late safety car period to take his maiden victory. John Leo (Cornes Shiba) finished third, earning his first-ever podium. The series championship went to Alex Fox, making his debut season in the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Japan.
The season will conclude with the Ferrari Finali Mondiali, to be held this year at Mugello International Circuit from October 21 to 26.
