Ferrari 296 GT3 Set for Daytona Debut 

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Ferrari 296 GT3 Set for Daytona Debut 

DAYTONA BEACH, FL (22 Jan. 2023) – The Ferrari 296 GT3 qualified ninth in the respective IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GT classes for next weekend’s Daytona 24 Hours, the debut of the new car in international competition.

Ferrari factory drivers Antonio Fuoco and Daniel Serra drove in the 15-minute session, which highlighted the Roar Before the Daytona 24, a three-day test at Daytona International Speedway.

Fuoco was ninth fastest in the GT Daytona (GTD) category, driving Cetilar Racing’s new No. 47 Ferrari 296 GT3 to a lap of 1:48.309-seconds. He is co-driving with Roberto Lacorte, Giorgio Sernagiotto and Alessandro Balzan as the team looks to add to its 2022 Sebring 12 Hour triumph. 

Serra was ninth in GTD Pro, running a quick time of 1:49.495-seconds in Risi Competizione’s No. 62 Ferrari 296 GT3. He joins FIA World Endurance GT champs Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado, along with Davide Rigon in an all-factory lineup.

AF Corse will start 17th in GTD, with factory driver Miguel Molina running 1:49.265-seconds in No. 21 Ferrari 296 GT3 he is co-driving with Simon Mann, Luis Perez Companc and Francesco Castelacci.

Triarsi Competizione will start 22nd in GTD for its IMSA debut. Factory pilot Alessio Rovera ran 1:49.763-seconds in the No. 023 Ferrari of Central Florida / Ferrari of Tampa Bay Ferrari 296 GT3. He will be joined by Ferrari development driver Andrea Bertolini and 2022 GT World Challenge America Am champs Onofrio Triarsi and Charlie Scardina for the team based in nearby Orlando.

“This is the first race for this car,” Rovera said. “We’re pretty happy with the reliability of the car. For performance, I think we have to work a bit but we’re really looking forward to a positive race. For sure, the 296 is a step forward; a new generation car. The 488 was a mega-car, and won all the possible championships in the world. That makes it a difficulty legacy, but for sure we will win a lot of races with this car.”

IMSA competitors now get three days of rest before action resumes with the opening of official practice on Thursday, with three sessions at 11:05 a.m., 3:20 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. (all times ET). Friday includes a one-hour final practice at 11:20 a.m.

The 61st running of the Daytona 24 Hours is set to start at 1:40 p.m. on Saturday. Live coverage will alternate among the NBC, USA and Peacock platforms, beginning Saturday at 1:30 p.m.