Coletta: Ferrari Utilizing LMGT3 Aero Updates on 296 GT3 Evo

Photo: Ferrari

Ferrari incorporated several aerodynamic-related changes needed for its car to comply with LMGT3 regulations into its new 296 GT3 Evo.

The Italian manufacturer, which took the wraps off its updated GT3 challenger last week at Spa-Francorchamps, confirmed that its aim with the Evo package was to produce a single-specification 296 GT3 Evo that could compete across all GT3-eligible championships.

“The aerodynamics like the wing, the side-skirt, are different in LMGT3 and we understood some information and we came back and worked in this direction,” Ferrari’s global head of endurance Antonello Coletta told Sportscar365.

“Now, [the 296 GT3 Evo] is the only version that will be for all the championships.

“This was one of the targets we had because it’s important that you can share the car.

“It’s clear in WEC we just have two cars. Unfortunately we can’t have more cars than two, and we have a lot of customers that are interested to race in WEC.

“In any case, our target was to have only [one] version and with this kit, we go in this direction now.”

Coletta wouldn’t go into detail on the percentage of brand-new parts on the 296 GT3 Evo, which is focused largely on aero, suspension, cooling and reliability updates, but revealed the latest Evo is a more comprehensive package than the previous 488 GT3 Evo.

With a significantly expanded customer base over the car’s predecessor, Coletta doesn’t necessarily expect a sizable increase in numbers on the grid, but instead a more refined overall package for its teams.

“I believe that our customer [base] will be consistent,” he said. “Yesterday we spoke with a lot of customers here, and prospective [customers].

“Alessandra [Todeschini] that’s in-charge of the commercial department. She explained to me that the requests are really consistent.

“Honestly we are very proud. We are probably in one of the best moments for us in GT3, [Ferrari] Challenge, LMH, etc.

“When I speak about the success, it’s not only success of sporting result but success in terms of all the sales.

“We don’t [share] the number of cars we’ve sold but in two-and-a-half years, we’ve sold more 296 than 488 in six years.

“This is a good [indication] about the success of this car and the success about our commercial department and the [support] we can offer to our customers.”

296 GT3 Evo Debut “Probably” 2026 Rolex 24 at Daytona

Coletta indicated the 296 GT3 Evo is likely to make its race debut in January’s Rolex 24 at Daytona but fell short of confirming it, amid ongoing discussions with its customer base and IMSA.

He did, however, rule it out being ready in time for the 2025/26 Asian Le Mans Series season, which starts at Sepang in December.

“I assume probably Daytona should be the first race,” he said. “But I need to understand in the next days the answers from our customers.

“As I can imagine, Daytona will probably be the first race.”

IMSA regulations permit one model change per year, which could theoretically allow Ferrari to begin the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season with the current 296 GT3 before rolling out the Evo later in the campaign.

“If we decide, we can probably start the season with the old cars and change after,” Coletta added. “But in any case we will have a meeting in a few days with [IMSA] and we will see.”

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