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Singhania runners-up in the 2015 Ferrari Challenge

Indian racer and businessman Gautam Singhania finished second in the Ferrari Challenge Europe Coppa Shell division after the seven rounds of the 2015 season.

#180 Kessel Racing Ferrari 458: Gautam Singhania

#180 Kessel Racing Ferrari 458: Gautam Singhania

#180 Kessel Racing Ferrari 458: Gautam Singhania leads
Race 1 Coppa Shell: winner #180 Kessel Racing Ferrari 458 Italia: Gautam Singhania
#180 Kessel Racing Ferrari 458 Italia: Gautam Singhania
#180 Kessel Racing Ferrari 458 Italia: Gautam Singhania
Podium race 1 Coppa Shell: winner #180 Kessel Racing Ferrari 458 Italia: Gautam Singhania, second place #181 Ineco - MP Racing Ferrari 458: Erich Prinoth, third place # 92 Kessel Racing Ferrari 458 Jacques Duyver
Race 1 winner: Gautam Singhania, Kessel Racing, second place Erich Prinoth, Ineco - MP Racing, third place Gregory Romanelli, The Collection
#180 Kessel Racing Ferrari 458: Gautam Singhania
#180 Kessel Racing Ferrari 458 Italia: Gautam Singhania with the media
#180 Kessel Racing Ferrari 458 Italia: Gautam Singhania celebrates his victory
#180 Kessel Racing Ferrari 458: Gautam Singhania
Start: #180 Kessel Racing Ferrari 458 Italia: Gautam Singhania leads

Having only started full-time racing last year, Singhania had a fantastic season this year as a competitive driver in the Ferrari Challenge driving the Ferrari 458 Challenge EVO.

"I have always been interested in racing and did some at a young age but the situation in India was different back then," Singhania told Motorsport.com.

"I really started competing full-time last year. At first I did some testing in order to prepare, but I had to stop when I had a fall and broke one leg which forced me to stay in bed for six months.

"After a good rest, I managed to return to full fitness and back in the car racing this year," he added.

The Indian business tycoon finished second to ultimate champion Jacques Duyver in the Finali Mondiali at Mugello last weekend. He was in a hefty fight for second place as he fended off rival Erich Prinoth in the final race of the season.

In the process, the Raymond owner notched up 10 podiums including a maiden win in race one of the finale weekend to become the first Indian ever to win a Ferrari Challenge race.

"It was a fantastic win because I was not doing well in practice but managed to qualify on pole. And then to lead the race from start to finish is an amazing feeling," the Indian said after the race.

"There was a little bit of pushing and banging, but that's part of motorsport, I got the corner one and then never looked back.

"Erich has a lot of experience here, so he was pushing a lot but I just kept my nerve, focused on corner to corner and kept it clean (to win)," an elated Singhania quipped.

Along with the 10 podiums in the season, Singhania also got two poles (in race two in Imola and Mugello) and clocked the fastest lap in the second race of the Imola round.

In the World Finals at Mugello, the Indian after serving a drive-through penalty fought back from 11th to finish an impressive fourth to round off the good season.

When asked how he shuffles between his work commitments and racing, he said: "I am a little disadvantaged given that I have to travel a lot in order to compete. But they say that if you really love something, you find the time for it."

"You always have to balance the various aspects. And racing is all about discipline.

"Even if I am here in Mugello and there are a lot of friends that came supporting me, I still went to bed at 9:30 PM because I have to be ready for racing and that’s my focus," added a determined and motivated racer in Singhania.

Interview by Marco Cortesi

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