2025 Spa 24 Hours: Ferrari Unveils Evo GT3, Teams Set for Endurance Challenge
Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium – As the automotive world shifts its focus to the 2025 Spa 24 Hours, Ferrari debuted the new Evo version of its 296 GT3 racer. This year’s competitors feature two current-spec 296 GT3 cars from AF Corse in the Pro class: the #50, driven by Arthur Leclerc, Antonio Fuoco, and Eliseo Donno, and the #51, crewed by 2021 race winner Alessandro Pier Guidi, Alessio Rovera, and Vincent Abril.
The #51 crew enters the race with two zero scores from previous outings this season, signaling a strategic shift in their approach. “We’re focusing on the overall win, not just segment points as we did last year,” Rovera stated, recalling a narrowly missed victory in 2024 due to a pit entry mishap.
Rovera highlighted the team’s strengths since adding Abril to their lineup: “We’re a good duo with Ale, and Vincent makes it a strong trio. We just need to survive the night before taking more risks in the morning.”
Ferrari drivers have voiced concerns regarding the new Pirelli tire, which they found challenging to handle, particularly in cool conditions. “We struggled to find the right operational window, especially at night,” Rovera noted, though he anticipates better performance in warmer daytime temperatures.
The #51 team qualifying fifth is a source of mixed feelings for Pier Guidi, who expressed concerns about race pace. “We’re missing a bit of straight-line speed,” he remarked, emphasizing that cornering advantages may not be sufficient given the densely packed field. Pier Guidi also raised safety concerns about the record grid of 74 cars, calling for potential limits in future events.
In contrast, the #50’s Fuoco, who qualified tenth, described the experience as overwhelming but rewarding. “With this many cars, it was challenging to find a clean lap,” he said, while also noting the advantages of competing in both GT3 and Hypercar categories. He acknowledged the competitive development of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and how insights gained from one discipline benefit the other.
As the teams prepare for a grueling 24-hour challenge, the focus lies on tactical execution, tire management, and navigating both the grid and the variable racing conditions of Spa-Francorchamps.
