Ferrari Challenge Drivers Seek Triumph at Sebring

After the new-for-2026 Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo found its first global victory at Sebring International Raceway in March, the Prancing Horse brings a stampede of 296 Challenge race cars to the same track with drivers eager for the same success.

Ferrari Challenge North America returns to the historic 3.74-mile circuit – famously known as a former World War II military airport base – for just the third time in its 33 years of competition.

Prior to 2026, the series only visited Sebring in 2019 and 2020. 

Yet the last time a Ferrari lapped Sebring, it was chasing the checkered flag in the IMSA SportsCar Championship. Ferrari factory driver Antonio Fuoco’s late dash in the Twelve Hours of Sebring delivered a historic win for the marque, and many in the Ferrari Challenge paddock took notice. 

Looking to mimic Fuoco’s performance are nearly 50 cars in Ferrari Challenge, 23 cars in Club Challenge, and 10 cars in Club Competizioni GT. 

And amongst the Ferrari Challenge competitors, the series will see a first-time Sebring winner. Six years on from the last event held at Sebring, the entry list sees a refresh without repeat victors from the central Florida track.

Sole Trip to Florida

After events at Daytona International Speedway and Miami International Autodrome last season, this year’s trip to Sebring is the lone Ferrari Challenge visit to Florida for crews local to the area.

A trio of teams from the Sunshine State – Ferrari of Central Florida, Ferrari of Naples, and The Collection – are fielding three cars this weekend at Sebring. 

The former, based out of Orlando, will see Jarrett Bilicek and Chuck Whittall in the Coppa Shell class, and David Williams in Coppa Shell Am.

Ferrari of Naples has Andrew Parker behind the wheel in Coppa Shell, and Melissa Kozyra and Jamie Garrett in Coppa Shell Am. Meanwhile, Javier Rodriguez Borgio in Coppa Shell, and Kenneth Sweder and Fabian Sperman in Coppa Shell Am represent The Collection located down the road in Miami.

Featuring single cars on the entry list are Ferrari of Fort Lauderdale with driver Kevin Gutierrez and Ferrari of Tampa Bay with driver Danny Patel.

Schedule and Streaming

Official on-track activity at Thermal begins on Friday, April 10, after two days of testing on Wednesday and Thursday.

Following Friday’s three practice sessions, qualifying for Race 1 takes place on Saturday at 9:40 a.m. ET. The green flag for Race 1 drops at 1:45 p.m. for Trofeo Pirelli and at 2:45 p.m. for Coppa Shell.

Qualifying 2 starts Sunday’s action at 9:35 a.m., with the second Coppa Shell race at 1:50 p.m. and Trofeo Pirelli at 2:55 p.m.

All Ferrari Challenge races will stream live on the Ferrari YouTube channel.