24 Hours of Daytona: the new Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo makes its US racing debut

The advanced version of the Italian GT3 makes its competition debut at the opening round of IMSA. First verdict in sight. The Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo makes its official racing debut this weekend at the 24 Hours of Daytona, the opening round of the IMSA North American championship. Three years after its first outing on the same track, the Italian GT has undergone significant modifications in recent months, with the introduction of an "Evo" version.

Antonello Coletta, Director of Endurance and Corsica Clienti activities for Ferrari recently explained the process to us: " We corrected everything that could be improved on the carhe told us in early December from his office in Fiorano, Italy. We've worked on the aerodynamics to reduce our worries, especially when our car is following that of an opponent. ". This should make things easier for drivers in traffic, both pros and gentlemen drivers. This is particularly crucial in IMSA, where races are often neutralized and run "in packs". New technical features include a revised front splitter and a diffuser that has been upgraded from three to five channels. Two new openings have been made in the front hood to facilitate temperature management of the brakes and cockpit. Dynamic suspension response has also been adapted.

" We have also corrected a number of minor technical problems that we were unable to resolve in the past because they would have required a new homologation.continued Antonello Coletta. The Evo won't necessarily be a faster car than its predecessor - because it already worked very well - but it will be much more reliable, more regular in endurance races and certainly a little easier to drive. ".

It remains powered by the twin-turbo V6 engine, open at 120°. Like the 296 GT3, the Evo version is assembled in partnership with French manufacturer Oreca. Teams can acquire a new chassis or adopt the new package via an additional kit. The 296 GT3's track record includes success at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring (2023), the GT World Challenge Europe title won by Alessandro Pier Guidi and Alessio Rovera (2024) and victory in the GTD category at the... 24 Hours of Daytona (2024).

First responses to Daytona

The Floridian track thus plays host to the Evo's competition debut. Six cars are entered, including two in the highly competitive GTD Pro category, by the Risi, Triarsi and Inception teams. The Prancing Horse has also sent five Hypercar 499P drivers to accompany the debut of its package: Alessandro Pier Guidi, Miguel Molina, James Calado, Yifei Ye and Antonio Fuoco.

The official Ferrari driver Alessio Rovera, who has been largely responsible for the car's development over the past few months, has some conclusions to draw from last week's preliminary tests at Daytona:

" We've been testing various solutions in the run-up to these first 24 hours of the 296 GT3 Evo," says Lombard. We're relying heavily on the new features. But it's also because of these modifications and the fact that last week's tests took place in changing track conditions that there are still many details to discover and refine. The key will be to hold out and stay in contention for the last two hours, which are the ones that count. "

The fastest Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo was fifth fastest in qualifying, precisely in the hands of Alessio Rovera. The race starts on Saturday at 7.40pm (Central European Time) / 1.40pm (local time).

A major event for Michelin

For Ferrari, the race will also be a good way of benchmarking itself against the competition on Michelin tires. The Clermont-Ferrand-based manufacturer is the sole supplier to the IMSA championship: in Florida, it provides the teams with over 16,000 tires, employs 130 people and moves 34 trucks. GT3-certified cars such as the Ferrari 296 GTB run on Goodyear tires in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and Pirelli tires in competitions organized by SRO (IGTC, GTWC, etc.). At Daytona, Bibendum also launches its Pilot Sport Pro GT H1+ range of advanced tires for the GTD and GTD Pro categories.

Above all, Michelin is debuting the new Pilot Sport Endurance - which will also be used by Hypercars at Le Mans and in the WEC this year. It features increased use of recycled or renewable materials and a tread covered with a velvet pattern. The engineers' aim was also to make it easier for the drivers to warm up. The Florida weekend will give us a first glimpse of the trends for the 2026 endurance racing season.

The Ferraris entered

GTD Pro category

Ferrari n°033 - Triarsi Competizione

• James Calado (GBR)
• Riccardo Agostini (ITA)
• Miguel Molina (ESP)
• Alessio Rovera (ITA)

Ferrari n°62 - Risi Competizione

• Daniel Serra (BRE)
• Davide Rigon (ITA)
• Alessandro Pier Guidi (ITA)

GTD category

Ferrari n°21 - AF Corse USA

• Simon Mann (USA)
• Lilou Wadoux-Ducellier (FRA)
• Antonio Fuoco (ITA)
• Tommaso Mosca (ITA)

Ferrari n°023 - Triarsi Competizione

• Onofrio Triarsi (USA)
• Kenton Koch (USA)
• Robert Megennis (USA)
• Yifei Ye (CHN)

Ferrari n°34 - Conquest Racing

• Manny Franco (USA)
• Albert Costa (ESP)
• Lorenzo Patrese (ITA)
• Thierry Vermeulen (NED)

Ferrari n°70 - Inception Racing

• Brendan Iribe (USA)
• Frederik Schandorff (DNK)
• Ollie Millroy (GBR)
• David Fumanelli (ITA)