Ferrari Preparing 296 GT3 Evo for 2026

Photo: Javier Jimenez/DPPI

Ferrari is preparing to roll out with an Evo version of its 296 GT3 for 2026 according to the brand’s head of endurance race cars Ferdinando Cannizzo, who has outlined the car’s targeted areas of development.

The Italian manufacturer, which is completing its second year with the mid-engined GT3 model, has opted against any significant updates for 2025 following successful campaigns with customer teams around the world.

The 296 GT3 has so far produced key victories at the Nürburgring 24 and Rolex 24 at Daytona, as well as numerous other wins and championships since its debut in 2023.

“Clearly next year we will keep the car as it is,” said Cannizzo. “Probably the year after we’ll have something new. We are working on that and need to figure out if it will be the right year to arrive with some modifications of the car.”

When asked on the areas of development, Cannizzo pointed to a mixture of aero, drivability and reliability.

“A bit on the aero side, we found something we could improve,” he said. “So we are working on that.

“But generally, we are trying to optimize the sensitivities of the car.

“On the other side, we found some systems that are a little bit on the edge in terms of functionality or reliability that we’d like to fix.

“These are just the areas which we will work on. We don’t envisage any changes on the engine side. The majority of the car will be the same.

“There will be no big changes but again, very focused on the areas we saw that needs to be improved.”

While BMW is set to debut its M4 GT3 EVO next year, 2026 will see a number of new GT3 cars hit the track, including all-new models from Lamborghini, Lexus and Mercedes-AMG.

Cannizzo feels the timing is right, given the likely shakeup in the marketplace.

“I think 2026 will likely be the year this will happen,” he said. “If you arrive too late, it will be too late for the life of the 296 GT3.

“It could be the right time. It’s the highest probability, not finalized yet, but definitely yes, this sounds like the right moment to arrive.”

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