Manuela Gostner is an Italian racing driver who transformed from volleyball-playing retail entrepreneur and mother of two into a five-time Ferrari Challenge champion and endurance racing standout—proving that discovering your calling later in life doesn’t mean you can’t dominate it.

EARLY YEARS

Born May 19, 1984, in Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy, Manuela grew up in a family where Ferrari wasn’t just a car brand—it was practically a religion. Her father, Thomas Gostner, is one of Italy’s major green energy producers and a Ferrari Challenge veteran. Her siblings, Corinna and David, would also become racers, making the Gostners synonymous with Ferrari Challenge competition across Europe.

Racing wasn’t on Manuela’s radar initially. As a young woman, she was busy juggling motherhood—raising two daughters—running a business in the retail sector, and playing competitive volleyball. The track seemed like her father and brother’s world, not hers. But when they didn’t have time to race, the opportunity opened up, and Manuela decided to give it a shot. Almost immediately, she was hooked.

OTHER INTERESTS

Before strapping into a race car, Manuela was an athlete in her own right, competing in volleyball. She’s also an entrepreneur with experience in retail, balancing business ventures alongside her racing career. But perhaps her most important role—and one she’s refreshingly candid about—is being a mother. “I am convinced that being a mother is a great challenge,” she’s said, rejecting the notion that motherhood and motorsport are somehow incompatible. For Manuela, they’re just different types of demanding, rewarding work.

EARLY SUCCESS

Manuela entered Ferrari Challenge Europe in 2014 with encouragement from her family, but she quickly realized enthusiasm alone wouldn’t cut it in the ultra-competitive series. Without formal racing experience, she knew she needed proper coaching. She turned to Giorgio Sernagiotto, an accomplished Italian racing driver, to teach her racecraft from the ground up.

The investment paid off. Over the next decade, Manuela became a fixture in Ferrari Challenge, racking up 121 races and 646 points overall across 10 seasons. Her consistency and smart driving earned her respect in a series packed with wealthy amateurs and seasoned pros alike. She proved she wasn’t just there to participate—she was there to win.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2014: Made her Ferrari Challenge debut, beginning a career that would span over a decade[1].
• 2017: Finished third overall in the GT4 European Series driving a Maserati Granturismo GT4 MC, with five podium finishes and two victories[2].
• 2018: Secured third overall in Ferrari Challenge Europe with multiple podium results[3].
• 2019: Competed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with teammates Rahel Frey and Michelle Gatting in the LMGTE Am class, finishing fourth in the GTE championship with two second-place finishes[4].
• 2020: Returned to Le Mans with Iron Lynx, where she and Michelle Gatting completed the grueling race without error[5].
• 2021: Competed in both Ferrari Challenge and select endurance races, continuing her dual-series campaign[6].
• 2022: Claimed multiple victories at Spa and other Ferrari Challenge Europe rounds, showcasing front-running pace[7].
• 2023: Delivered consistent podium finishes including double runner-up results at Circuit Paul Ricard and Brno, taking the championship lead mid-season[8].
• 2025: Crowned Ferrari Challenge Europe Coppa Shell champion at Mugello with three victories and eight podium finishes, proving to be one of the most consistent drivers in the championship[9]. Also secured victory at Hockenheim and podium finishes on her debut with the new Ferrari 296 Challenge[10].

INSPIRATIONS

Manuela’s path to racing was paved by her family’s deep connection to Ferrari and motorsport. Her father Thomas and brother David were already competing when she started, and her sister Corinna would become both teammate and rival on track. “My father and my brother didn’t have the time to race, so we had that opportunity and I really enjoyed it,” she’s explained. The Gostner family’s racing legacy isn’t just about speed—it’s about a shared passion that brought them closer together, even when they’re fighting for position on track.

REPUTATION

Manuela has built a reputation as one of Ferrari Challenge’s most reliable and clean competitors. Her driving style emphasizes consistency over risk-taking—a approach that’s earned her five championship titles and countless podiums. She’s known for smart racecraft, rarely making mistakes, and finishing races that others crash out of. This was evident at Le Mans, where she and her teammates completed the 24-hour marathon without incident multiple times.

Off track, she’s become a voice for women in motorsport, though she’s not one for grandstanding. She simply shows up, does the work, and lets her results speak. The fact that she’s doing all this while raising two daughters and running businesses makes her story even more compelling—she’s proof that you don’t have to sacrifice everything to compete at the highest levels.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Fresh off her 2025 Coppa Shell championship victory, Manuela shows no signs of slowing down. She’s adapted seamlessly to the new Ferrari 296 Challenge car, immediately running at the front in early-season rounds. Whether she’ll continue focusing exclusively on Ferrari Challenge or expand back into endurance racing remains to be seen, but given her track record of success in both disciplines, she’s proven she can compete wherever she chooses to race.

REFERENCES

[1] Ferrari.com – Manuela Gostner, Ferrari Challenge Driver
[2] ManuelaGostner.com – Mother, Driver
[3] ManuelaGostner.com – Career Statistics
[4] Wikipedia – Manuela Gostner
[5] 24h-lemans.com – Manuela Gostner Prize List & Statistics
[6] Speedqueens – Manuela Gostner
[7] Racers Behind the Helmet – Ferrari Challenge: Manuela Gostner Takes Victory at Spa
[8] Racers Behind the Helmet – Manuela Gostner Continues Podium Streak at Paul Ricard
[9] Racers Behind the Helmet – Manuela Gostner Crowned Ferrari Challenge Europe Shell Cup Champion
[10] Ferrari.com – Hirsiger and Manuela Gostner Win Race-1 at Hockenheim
[11] Ferrari Magazine – Ready for a New Challenge: The Gostner Family
[12] 24H Series – Head-to-Head: Manuela and Corinna Gostner