what to expect in the new year

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The upcoming season for Ferrari in Gran Turismo (closed-wheel) competitions will be an interesting testing ground for mechanics and drivers spread across many series around the world. The 296 GT3 (read the dedicated focus) will have reached its third “season” by then, and likely its last, as its updated version is expected to enter service in 2026, as announced by Davide Rigon, the official driver for the Maranello brand.

The “original” version so far has been nothing short of impressive in terms of the number of victories it has achieved in just two years of track activity, securing its 100th victory at Sepang last weekend during the 4 Hours of the Asian Le Mans Series (which was concluded with three Ferraris on the podium).

Antonello Coletta, Global Head of Ferrari Endurance and Corse Clienti, commented on the achievement: “The result obtained at Sepang fills us with pride and certifies the quality of this project. We recorded the 100th race victory with the 296 GT3, including the success in the LMGT3 specification, less than two years after its competitive debut. During this period, we managed to achieve extraordinary results such as the wins at the Daytona 24 Hours this year, and at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, the first in Ferrari’s history, in 2023.”

“I congratulate the drivers,” continued Antonello Coletta, “including our official Daniel Serra and the Car Guy team for helping achieve this 100th success in the context of a competitive championship like the ALMS, making an already brilliant 2024 season finale even more memorable, considering the recent titles won in Jeddah in the GT WC Europe and the two first-place finishes in the FIA WEC at Fuji and Bahrain during the season that saw this car debut on the world stage.”

A car that has shown the potential and speed to become the best GT3 in circulation, with more seasons still to be written. Now, however, attention must also be focused on what the Prancing Horse will offer in the coming months. In fact, action will already take place this weekend at Yas Marina during the annual Gulf 12 Hours, a race already won by the veteran 488 GT3. The AF Corse team will also be present in the Asian endurance series, accompanied by six other teams bringing the 296 to the track.

In the winter season, many test sessions are also planned, taking place at tracks around the world, where Ferrari’s official drivers will be involved. Next season will also require confirmation in the WEC, a bittersweet championship in 2024. Indeed, towards the end of the season, AF Corse technicians seem to have made a significant performance leap, bringing home wins at the 6 Hours of Fuji and the 8 Hours of Bahrain.

If the progress is confirmed next season, we will finally witness a 296 that is complete in every aspect, capable of being fast regardless of the conditions it faces, which means tires (ranging from Pirelli in the GT World Challenge to GoodYear in the WEC), drivers (from professionals to amateurs), weather conditions, and types of tracks and surfaces—essentially the goal of all manufacturers in GT3. The 296 GT3 also excels when it comes to setting its pace in clear air, typically when in the lead of the race, managing to distance itself from opponents with ease.

A lot also depends on the team and its knowledge of the car, its ability to manage and tune the vehicle, which is crucial if one wants to win European and world championships. For the upcoming season, Coletta has announced the intention to participate in the Intercontinental GT Challenge, which also includes the Bathurst 12 Hours, won by the 488 GT3 in 2017.

The goal would be to participate with a factory-based crew, similar to the 24 Hours of Daytona, adding another “piece” to the record of a car that has already greatly impressed. It will also be interesting to see what Ferrari decides regarding its official drivers. This season, the professional drivers involved in 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 Development Driver, Berretta, Vilander, and Giancarlo Fisichella (who starred with Scuderia Baldini in winning the Italian Gran Turismo Endurance Championship) are Ambassador Drivers.

There are also plenty of new names ready to join, such as Arthur Leclerc, Charles’ brother, who raced alongside Giancarlo Fisichella and Tommaso Mosca in the CIGT Endurance, going on to win it at Monza with a breathtaking race, and who completed the Rookie Test at the end of the year on the 499P during the WEC tests in Bahrain for young drivers.

Currently, Arthur holds the role of Development Driver for the Scuderia, given the “gap” left by Robert Shwartzman’s departure, as he left Ferrari to join Prema in Indycar. We will see what new developments the Maranello team has in store for us this winter, considering the significant weight the upcoming season will carry.