Wadoux Hopes to ‘Continue Learning’ Ferrari 296 GT3 at Indy

Lilou Wadoux hopes that she will “continue to learn” the Ferrari 296 GT3 during her appearance with Conquest Racing in the Indianapolis 8 Hour presented by AWS.

The Ferrari factory driver is gearing up for only her second race in the Italian manufacturer’s latest GT racing model, after joining AF Corse for the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Endurance Cup season finale at Barcelona last weekend.

That preliminary outing helped Wadoux to get acquainted with one of her Indy 8H co-driver Manny Franco.

The 22-year-old Frenchwoman told Sportscar365 that before Barcelona she completed four days in the 296 GT3 in a test at Portimao alongside other factory drivers.

This year she has driven a Ferrari 488 GTE Evo in the FIA World Endurance Championship, but will likely tackle more GT3 races in the future after the GTE platform goes away.

“I’m very happy to race here because Indianapolis is a big place in motorsport,” said Wadoux.

“It’s my first time here with the 296 GT3 and the track is cool. We will see what we can do this weekend. I’m very happy and I expect good things for this race.

“I hope for a good result and to continue to learn with the 296 GT3. That is the target.”

Indianapolis marks Wadoux’s second Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli appearance of the season, although her CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa debut came in a different type of GT3 Ferrari.

“I did the 24 Hours of Spa with the 488,” she explained. “For sure it’s different to manage the tire on the 296 than on the 488.

“I learned a lot in the Barcelona race because it’s very different to the 488.”

The Indianapolis drive takes Wadoux into a new environment as it is her first GT race with Ferrari outside of AF Corse, which is a team closely affiliated with the manufacturer.

“It’s very good because Ferrari trust me,” she said.

“For me, it’s a big step in my career as a professional driver. It’s important to give good feedback and help everyone in the team and to have the same feedback between the three drivers.

“It’s very good to meet new people, new teams and new teammates. For me, it’s a good experience to see that.”

Conquest is also noticing the benefits of having a new face in the team alongside its Fanatec GT World Challenge America powered by AWS drivers Franco and Alessandro Balzan.

“Lilou has been a good surprise,” team owner Eric Bachelart told Sportscar365.

“She’s done a really, really good job. She’s very much under control, she’s very consistent and she gives good feedback. She’s a great addition to the team this weekend.

“It was decided before Manny went to Barcelona. That gave them a chance to start working together last weekend. That was planned for a long time.

“Obviously for us, we’re working very closely with Ferrari. Of course we’re very excited to have Lilou as a factory driver from Ferrari to be with us.”

The Ferrari 296 GT3 is expected to form a significant part of Wadoux’s racing program next year, although the series in which she will compete is yet to be determined.

She is currently approaching the end of her second WEC season, after swapping a Richard Mille Racing Oreca 07 Gibson for a Richard Mille AF Corse Ferrari 488 GTE Evo.

Wadoux has retained her FIA Silver driver rating next year, but there might not be room for her as the designated Silver in one of AF Corse’s two Ferrari WEC LMGT3 entries.

That’s because Ferrari has already stated that Simon Mann is set to return in one car, while Thomas Flohr intends to keep Francesco Castellacci in the other.

But wherever she drives, Wadoux is finding races like Barcelona and Indianapolis to be integral to her preparation for a more extensive GT3 program in 2024.

“More experience in the car is the key,” she said. “For me, it’s a big experience with this car. For next year, I don’t know for the moment [where I will drive].

“But whatever the championship, it’s always important to have experience.”

John Dagys contributed to this report