FIA GT driver Maurizio Mediani and Risi Competizione wheelsman Jaime Melo were seen this week giving the new Ferrari customer racer a stern talking-to at Rome’s Vallelunga circuit. And by “were seen” we of course mean for PR purposes. No matter, considering any word on the latest challenge car from Maranello is worth noting. The lighter track model is based on the production 458 Italia, which 0-60′s Chris Harris recently called “a paradigm shift in the way Ferrari approaches the subject of performance cars.” Look for the first 458 Challenge to grace future rounds of Ferrari’s one-make championship series. [via Ferrari]

Press Release:
The Ferrari 458 Challenge on track at Vallelunga

At the end of two days at the Roman circuit, both men were pleased with what had been achieved. According to Mediani the 458 Challenge is “very quick and extremely good fun,” its handling inherited from the road going car from which it is derived, combined with modifications made for its specific use in racing. Melo, just back from the fifth round of the American Le Mans Series, in which he races a F430 GT2 run by Team Risi Competizione, highlighted how much the driving experience is enhanced by the electronics systems operated with the now classic manettino on the steering wheel, a first for a car used in the Ferrari one-make series. “I am sure that Prancing Horse competition owners will be very pleased with this car,” commented the Argentine before leaving the circuit to prepare for the next ALMS round, which takes place on 7 August at the Mid Ohio circuit.