The Ferrari Challenge series was launched in 1993 as a way of giving amateur drivers the opportunity to experience the thrill of motor racing on some of the most iconic circuits around the world with dealership and factory support.

It has grown into a global programme with separate series in the UK, Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific and remains the longest-running single-marque racing series in existence.

To date there have been six ‘Challenge’ models, and the 458 Italia Challenge was the fifth offered by Ferrari for the series, replacing the 430 Challenge which had been campaigned since 2007.

Much like its predecessors, the 458 Challenge was largely based upon its road-going sibling, the 458 Italia, albeit with a plethora of optimisations for use on the track.

Conspicuously and perhaps in recognition of just how potent the road car was, the 4.5-litre, naturally aspirated V-8 engine remained largely untouched, still producing 570 bhp at 9,000 rpm.

Only minor tweaks to the ge...