Conquest Finalizing Lineup for Ferrari GTD Program

Photo: Fabian Lagunas/SRO

Conquest Racing is finalizing the driver lineup for its IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTD program according to team principal Eric Bachelart, whose operation is set to field the sole full-season Ferrari 296 GT3 in the series next year.

The team, which has contested Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS this season with Manny Franco and Alessandro Balzan, will make the move to the GTD category with its Prancing Horse.

“We’re still working on the driver lineup,” Bachelart told Sportscar365. “Obviously Manny will be one of the but we’re still working on that as we speak.”

Bachelart said it’s possible that a Ferrari factory driver could join the Silver-rated Franco at the wheel next year, although they are “just talking” about driver scenarios right now.

Recently minted Ferrari works pilot Lilou Wadoux was part of the team’s lineup in last weekend’s Indianapolis 8 Hour, with the Frenchwoman also having teamed with Franco in the recent Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup season finale in Barcelona.

Conquest’s effort will mark its return to top-level IMSA competition for the first time since 2013 when it campaigned a Morgan LMP2 car in the American Le Mans Series.

“I’m really excited about that,” Bachelart said of his team’s return. “We had a great year ten years ago over there in LMP2. I’m very, very happy to do that again.

“It seems like we’re going to be the only full-time Ferrari there, which is great. It’s great that Ferrari will be there for the whole season in IMSA.

“I think it’s very important to be there. It’s a great opportunity. We are very pleased about that.”

While placing a focus on its WeatherTech Championship effort, Bachelart hasn’t ruled out having a continued presence in Fanatec GT next year, with the team having purchased an additional 296 GT3 for such prospects.

“We’ll have three cars total next year because we’ll have a spare car for IMSA and have a new car coming for SRO,” he explained.

“But the program in SRO is not confirmed yet. If we have the right situation, then we would do it too.”

When asked by Sportscar365 if he’s heard back from IMSA regarding the entry request, Bachelart said: “We will participate the full season next year, 100 percent.”

IMSA is expected to release the entry list for the 2024 WeatherTech Championship season on Thursday.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John