When you ask him if he was expecting to win the title again, he cuts to the chase, opening, opening up with a smile: ‘Yes.’ Gilbert Yates (Charles Hurst) retained his Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli UK title in the 2025 season, having already won it in 2024. His five-weekend journey was near-perfect: 9 wins in 10 races (and one second place), 10 pole positions out of 10. Yates dominated the Trofeo Pirelli with 171 points. Pranav Vangala (HR Owen) secured 129, Paul Simmerson (Graypaul Birmingham) 105. We interviewed him at the concluding weekend at Silverstone, where Yates celebrated his fantastic repeat performance in Race-1.

Gilbert, congratulations on your repeat win. Was this title harder, or the 2024 one?

“I’d put it like this: Vangala is a young, fast driver. He improved every weekend and the car – the 296 Challenge – was new, so I wasn’t used to it. It was a complete reset, I started from scratch. And as a champion, more was expected from me; there was more pressure on me. When you leave the pits with car number 1, you always want to win. Last year was my first year racing; I didn’t have expectations. My coach, Thomas Fleming, was always monitoring me via radio, because Vangala was a threat for the whole championship.”

Was Fleming fundamental to your successes?

“He’s an outstanding driver, international level, and the numbers speak for themselves – it’s not just my opinion. As a coach, he’s phenomenal. I don’t know if the others are on the same level. I like how he analyses the data, how he gets into my headspace and works out what I’m thinking, just by looking at my on-board video. I think he’s behind much of the success.”

Out of all 10 of your pole positions, we were struck by the first at Brands Hatch, with not much time to go…

“I’d left the pits to warm up the tyres at the start of qualifying and there was contact with another car. The front wheel was damaged. Repairing it took time. There were 3–4 minutes to the end of qualifying at that point. Tom came to me and said: ‘Get out.’ But there wasn’t time to warm up the tyres, so I just got out there and tried. At the time, I was last: on the first attempt I made seventh and, when it was 10 seconds to the end of the session, I started the last attempt. And in the end I got pole position. I didn’t have the radio either. And then, the car wasn’t really in order. But we did it. I pushed it to the limit; it was absolutely fantastic.

Apart from that episode, was there a moment to remember from your season?

“Race-2 at Brands Hatch on Sunday, I reckon, the day after that pole position. I really felt comfortable with the car and I’d already picked up a good advantage in the standings. I never skidded the tyres, never swerved, never messed up a corner. It was my perfect race.”

What are your favourite tracks on the British calendar?

“Definitely Silverstone, but I really like Donington too.”

In the last race weekend, at Silverstone, you won the championship again and your son Bradley raced too: is he a help or a hindrance?

“Tom tells me not to worry about him, because Bradley is in his own race. But it’s tough when you look in the mirror and see your son in another car. We both need to look ahead and go as fast as possible. Bradley has been living in Dallas, Texas (USA) for the last two years. He’s a professional tennis player who’s also decided to dedicate himself to racing. He tried the Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo, demonstrating some talent. He picked up a third place at Silverstone, so he’ll race in this championship next year. And that’s not all: he says he’ll beat me and win. So I’d better hit the gym again and train.”

Will you take on new challenges as well next year?

“First of all, I’ll take part in the Finali Mondiali in Mugello, Italy in October, because I want to take on new challenges. I’m thinking of staying in the Ferrari Challenge UK with Bradley, but I also think I want to compete in couple of Ferrari Challenge Europe races, to gauge my level.”

Were you attuned to the 296 Challenge straight away?

“It’s a great car, more like a racing car compared to the 488 Challenge Evo, but I had to get used to the braking system to start with.”

How did your passion for Ferrari begin?

“Everyone in the world of motoring has a passion for Ferrari.”