Team LeMans Reveals Switch to Ferrari 296 GT3

Team LeMans has revealed plans to switch from Audi to Ferrari machinery for the upcoming SUPER GT season.

The former Toyota GT500 squad took the covers off a plain carbon-colored 296 GT3 during an event for sponsors on Saturday at the Okayama International Circuit, with regular driver Yoshiaki Katayama present.

It becomes the second team to firm up plans to campaign Ferrari’s latest GT3 model in the GT300 class after PONOS Racing.

While no further details were given about Team LeMans’ program at the time of the launch, Sportscar365 understands that the team will continue to use Yokohama tires as it did with its previous Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II.

Katayama looks certain to return for a fourth season with the team, while 2023 teammate Roberto Merhi appears likely to reprise his role as his teammate.

The pair finished ninth in the 2023 GT300 standings with third-place finishes at Fuji Speedway, Sportsland Sugo and Mobility Resort Motegi.

Chief engineer Mattia Oselladore has also indicated that he will most likely continue with the team for a second season alongside his main program in Formula 2.

Team LeMans’ announcement all but confirms that Audi will not be represented on the SUPER GT grid in 2024, as the German brand winds down its GT3 commitments.

It had been the only team left running the R8 LMS GT3 following the withdrawal of Hitotsuyama Racing after the 2021 campaign.

The team had attempted to sell its Audi after the 2022 season, but no buyer could be found, while it was unable to obtain its desired alternative, a BMW M4 GT3, due to a lack of availability, resulting in the decision to run the R8 for another season.