Report: Vettel to Test Ferrari 488 GTB?

Photo: Ferrari

While the new Ferrari 488 GTB recently hit the track for the first time, one of the Italian manufacturer’s Formula One stars could be involved with the development of the GTE class contender.

Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Sebastian Vettel has been linked to an upcoming test of the V8 twin-turbocharged car that’s set to make its competition debut in January’s Rolex 24 at Daytona.

The four-time F1 World Champion, who has no previous sports car racing experience, could log laps of the 2016 spec GTE contender alongside reigning FIA WEC GTE champion Gianmaria Bruni, Andrea Bertolini and Ferrari GT development driver Raffaele De Simone.

Ferrari ace Giancarlo Fisichella confirmed last weekend at Road America that he too will get seat time in the car later this month.

The GTE car, which is expected to cost upwards of $450,000, is understood to be nearly identical in specification to the new GT3 variant, which is also expected to break cover next year for customer deliveries.

Risi Competizione confirmed plans to campaign a 488 in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship next year, with AF Corse likely to field at least one car in the season opener at Daytona as well.

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