Motorsport · Ferrari Challenge North America · 2026

Date & time

15 Mar 2026, 18:15

Round

1

Location

Thermal, California, United States

The second qualifying session at The Thermal Club acts as the final "mechanical necessity" for those looking to disrupt the early-season dominance of Roberto Perrina. As the Sunday morning sun rises over the Coachella Valley, the strategic narrative shifts to adapting to a track that has undergone significant rubbering-in following Saturday’s heavy racing action. The primary hurdle for the Trofeo Pirelli field is the 8.2km circuit's sensitivity to rising ambient temperatures; a few degrees can be the difference between a pole-winning lap and a slide into the desert dust. Tactically, drivers must find a clear "gap" in the technical second sector—if they are caught in the aerodynamic wash of a slower car through the high-speed sweeps of Turn 7 and 8, their qualifying lap is essentially forfeit. The headline story focuses on Matias Perel and Dylan Stairway, both of whom are desperate to find the extra tenth of a second needed to unseat Perrina from the top spot. Strategically, teams will be experimenting with aggressive tire pressure adjustments during the 15-minute mid-session pause, aiming to peak the Pirelli slicks exactly when the track grip is at its maximum. With the Feature Race grid on the line, the pressure is on the Pro-Am and AM competitors to stay within striking distance of the leaders, ensuring they start the 30-mile finale in the optimal position to exploit any early-race chaos.