The upcoming season for Ferrari in Gran Turismo (closed-wheel) competitions might be an fascinating testing floor for mechanics and drivers unfold throughout many collection all over the world. The 296 GT3 (learn the devoted focus) could have reached its third “season” by then, and certain its final, as its up to date model is predicted to enter service in 2026, as introduced by Davide Rigon, the official driver for the Maranello model.
The “unique” model up to now has been nothing wanting spectacular by way of the variety of victories it has achieved in simply two years of observe exercise, securing its a centesimal victory at Sepang final weekend in the course of the 4 Hours of the Asian Le Mans Collection (which was concluded with three Ferraris on the rostrum).
Antonello Coletta, International Head of Ferrari Endurance and Corse Clienti, commented on the achievement: “The outcome obtained at Sepang fills us with pleasure and certifies the standard of this challenge. We recorded the a centesimal race victory with the 296 GT3, together with the success within the LMGT3 specification, lower than two years after its aggressive debut. Throughout this era, we managed to attain extraordinary outcomes such because the wins on the Daytona 24 Hours this 12 months, and on the Nürburgring 24 Hours, the primary in Ferrari’s historical past, in 2023.”
“I congratulate the drivers,” continued Antonello Coletta, “together with our official Daniel Serra and the Automobile Man group for serving to obtain this a centesimal success within the context of a aggressive championship just like the ALMS, making an already good 2024 season finale much more memorable, contemplating the current titles gained in Jeddah within the GT WC Europe and the 2 first-place finishes within the FIA WEC at Fuji and Bahrain in the course of the season that noticed this automobile debut on the world stage.”
A automobile that has proven the potential and velocity to grow to be the very best GT3 in circulation, with extra seasons nonetheless to be written. Now, nonetheless, consideration should even be centered on what the Prancing Horse will supply within the coming months. Actually, motion will already happen this weekend at Yas Marina in the course of the annual Gulf 12 Hours, a race already gained by the veteran 488 GT3. The AF Corse group can even be current within the Asian endurance collection, accompanied by six different groups bringing the 296 to the observe.
Within the winter season, many check classes are additionally deliberate, happening at tracks all over the world, the place Ferrari’s official drivers might be concerned. Subsequent season can even require affirmation within the WEC, a bittersweet championship in 2024. Certainly, in direction of the top of the season, AF Corse technicians appear to have made a major efficiency leap, bringing house wins on the 6 Hours of Fuji and the 8 Hours of Bahrain.
If the progress is confirmed subsequent season, we’ll lastly witness a 296 that’s full in each facet, able to being quick whatever the circumstances it faces, which suggests tires (starting from Pirelli within the GT World Problem to GoodYear within the WEC), drivers (from professionals to amateurs), climate circumstances, and varieties of tracks and surfaces—basically the objective of all producers in GT3. The 296 GT3 additionally excels in the case of setting its tempo in clear air, sometimes when within the lead of the race, managing to distance itself from opponents with ease.
So much additionally relies on the group and its data of the automobile, its skill to handle and tune the car, which is essential if one needs to win European and world championships. For the upcoming season, Coletta has introduced the intention to take part within the Intercontinental GT Problem, which additionally contains the Bathurst 12 Hours, gained by the 488 GT3 in 2017.
The objective can be to take part with a factory-based crew, much like the 24 Hours of Daytona, including one other “piece” to the document of a automobile that has already vastly impressed. It’ll even be fascinating to see what Ferrari decides concerning its official drivers. This season, the skilled drivers concerned in essentially the most prestigious races are Davide Rigon, Daniel Serra, Antonio Fuoco, Alessio Rovera, James Calado, Alessandro PierGuidi, Miguel Molina, Nicklas Nielsen, Lilou Wadoux, and Thomas Neubauer. Andrea Bertolini follows as Improvement Driver, Berretta, Vilander, and Giancarlo Fisichella (who starred with Scuderia Baldini in profitable the Italian Gran Turismo Endurance Championship) are Ambassador Drivers.
There are additionally loads of new names prepared to affix, equivalent to Arthur Leclerc, Charles’ brother, who raced alongside Giancarlo Fisichella and Tommaso Mosca within the CIGT Endurance, occurring to win it at Monza with a wide ranging race, and who accomplished the Rookie Take a look at on the finish of the 12 months on the 499P in the course of the WEC exams in Bahrain for younger drivers.
At present, Arthur holds the function of Improvement Driver for the Scuderia, given the “hole” left by Robert Shwartzman’s departure, as he left Ferrari to affix Prema in Indycar. We are going to see what new developments the Maranello group has in retailer for us this winter, contemplating the numerous weight the upcoming season will carry.
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