Ferrari previews next-gen 296 GT3 race car

Ferrari has committed their future to GT racing by giving us a sneak preview of the 296 GT3, the next-generation race car from Maranello.

The new GT3 race car is based on the road-going 296 GTB, Ferrari's latest mid-engined hybrid sports car. However, because of technical regulations, the 296 GT3 will not be equipped with the road car's hybrid system, and will instead have an unassisted 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 motor.

On paper, the road-going 296 GTB's engine produces 654 PS. But based on GT3 rules, the race car's engine power will be restricted between 500 to 600 PS. In addition, it's also likely that the 296 GT3's engine will be mated to a sequential transmission instead of the DCT used by the road car.

Ferrari is also working on the development of the 296 GT3 with French racing team Oreca, which helped develop the Dodge Viper GTS-R into a three-time 24 Hours of Le Mans class winner.

The 296 GT3 has some big shoes to fill once it starts racing in 2023. Its predecessor, the 488 GT3, is Ferrari's most successful race car to date after racking up 107 titles and 429 wins from 770 starts.

Furthermore, the 296 GT3 could also be joined on track in its debut year by the Ferrari Le Mans hypercar. 2023 marks the Prancing Horse's return to Circuit de la Sarthe as a factory team and will race in the LMH class of the FIA World Endurance Championship.