Costa: Conquest Can Fight for GTD Title After Podium Return

Albert Costa says returning to the podium in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with Conquest Racing has convinced him that he can fight for the GTD title in what he calls a ‘fantastic’ atmosphere with the team.

The Spaniard, who along with co-driver Manny Franco, finished third in class at the recent Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, scored his first podium result with the Eric Bachelart-owned squad since being part of their class win in the 2024 Motul Petit Le Mans.

It was on the day before the ten-hour enduro that year he was informed that he wouldn’t be back with the team in 2025, and instead spent a season in the GTD Pro ranks chasing a title with DragonSpeed, also at the wheel of a Ferrari 296 GT3.

“I’m not a big fan of changing brands every year,” Costa told Sportscar365. “I’m not an official driver, but at least I try to always stay in a Ferrari team. So that was my target. I knew the team, I knew the car.

“It was hard to accept, but it’s the reality when you are not a factory driver.

“My first thing for 2026 was to stay in Ferrari in a good team. And that was the option. And when you had the balance deciding what team to be in 2026 I think was the right choice.

“[2026] is a year to finish the job that we couldn’t do in 2024 and the way they treat me, the atmosphere we have in the team is like a family. We love each other. We have a really good team around. As I said, the atmosphere is fantastic.”

The conversation to return to Conquest began after last October’s season finale. Away from the team, he still kept a good relationship in the paddock with the crew and Bachelart.

“I was having lunch on Friday before quali, and [Eric] came to me and he said to me, ‘You know I still love you’ and I said ‘I still love you too.’” said Costa. “And then I did [qualifying].”

“He sent me a message and said, ‘You are like a good wine every year, getting faster and faster.’ Then, he said, ‘Do you have time for a meeting?’ I said, ‘Not today, but tomorrow.’

“So before the race, I jumped in the Conquest box, and we had a nice conversation.

“And then when he said this about the wine, I was like, ‘That’s a good comparison.’

“I think I’m turning 36 so I’m not a kid anymore. Mentally, I always try to improve. And physically, I try to keep as best I can. We didn’t have any glass of wine yet, but I will remind him very soon.”

The return to Conquest is doubly rewarding for Costa becoming a mentor to Franco.

Costa praised Franco’s speed and maturity since the reunion, especially in his handling of his departure from the team for this weekend’s StubHub Monterey SportsCar Championship at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for personal reasons.

“Manny is more professional.. and faster because it’s life,” said Costa. “When you drive the same car, same team, same circuits, you get faster and better, and your confidence is increasing.

“And as a Silver [driver], this is important. So I always say to them that this is a learning process, and we are getting there.

“When I got the call that Manny was not racing at Laguna, Manny was the first to say, ‘Don’t worry, I already spoke with Lorenzo [Patrese]’. He put his hand on my shoulder and said, ‘Lorenzo will replace me, and I already speak with him.’ This means a lot for Manny, that he’s a good person.”

The team enters the weekend fifth in the GTD points standings.

Costa is confident that Conquest’s work and team dynamics so far can catapult them to a championship at seasons’ end.

“To be honest, before coming to Daytona for the Roar, I was a little bit nervous,” he said. “But then after the Roar, I was so calm, because I saw the team was very professional, they were much more prepared.

“We can fight for the championship, because this is what we deserve. We lost big points at Sebring, but now we are top five in the championship. We still believe it’s possible, absolutely.”