MANUELA GOSTNER Claims First 2025 Ferrari Challenge Win at Hockenheim

May 26, 2025

GRRL! SUMMARY:

MANUELA GOSTNER secured her first Ferrari Challenge Europe victory of 2025 at Hockenheim, making a brilliant start from the front row to take the lead into Turn 1 and then managing a relentless challenge from Ryndziewicz through the final laps. After qualifying second just 0.17 seconds off pole, she controlled Race 1 from the front, building a 2-second gap before expertly defending in the closing stages to win by 0.7 seconds.
The experienced Italian’s weekend showcased her tactical intelligence across changing conditions, qualifying fourth in wet weather for Race 2 after briefly holding provisional pole before Kirchmayr’s late improvement. Despite starting on older tyres in the second race, GOSTNER maintained competitive pace and smart positioning to finish fifth, maximizing her points haul when the rubber degradation became a limiting factor on a demanding track.
This Hockenheim triumph represents GOSTNER’s championship recovery after early season struggles, including misfortune at the Monza opener before her first podium at Misano. Her commanding Race 1 performance, where she shared the podium with her father Thomas, demonstrates why she’s been a consistent Shell Cup title contender over recent years and positions her perfectly for the championship chase heading to Brno.