Ferrari's new 296 GT3 pictured on track | GRR
The new Ferrari 296 GT3 racer has hit the track for the very first time, rolling out onto Ferrari’s legendary home track of Fiorano. And my word, does it look superb.
Driven by two-time World Endurance Championship GT title winner Alessandro Pier Guidi and four-time FIA GT1 winner and endurance veteran Andrea Bertolini, the 296 GT3 spent a whole day on track, with the camouflaged car “checked by the technicians” between sessions.
The 296 GT3 is something very new for Ferrari. The company decided not to develop a racing version of the F8 Tributo, opting instead to continue to run the 488 GT3. Unlike the 488, though, the 296 uses a hybrid 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 rather than 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. Racing regulations will prohibit the 296 GT3 from using the hybrid system for now at least, however, so it’ll be down to that V6 to match the old V8 for punch.
With aggressive aerodynamic addenda everywhere, including an aggressive front splitter, vents across the front wheel-arches, a huge rear diffuser, giant rear wing and more, it’ll look quite different to the relatively simple road-going 296 GTB.
The car will be revealed in full later in the year ahead of its 2023 race debut.