Team LeMans unveiled its new Ferrari 296 GT3 which will compete in the 2024 Autobacs SUPER GT Series GT300 class, during a sponsor appreciation day held at Okayama International Circuit.
It is the second new Ferrari that will race in GT300 next season, following the confirmation of PONOS Racing’s entry with Kei Cozzolino and Lilou Wadoux. Ferrari has not won in the GT300 class since 2009 and was absent from the GT300 grid last year.
The new 296 GT3 replaces Team LeMans’ previous Audi R8 LMS GT3 which ran from 2021 to 2023 – and effectively confirms Audi’s exit from GT300 after a continuous presence which began in 2012.
Last season the pairing of Yoshiaki Katayama and Roberto Merhi collected three podium finishes, propelling them to ninth in the GT300 Drivers’ Championship.
Further details about Team LeMans’ 2024 plans will be revealed at a later date, but with Katayama helping to take the cover off the 296 GT3 today, his place as lead driver is practically confirmed for another season, leaving only the additional details a mystery for now.
Feature image © ‘TorafuguJP’
