New Ferrari 296 Speciale Piloti perfectly timed
Exclusive Speciale spec reserved for Ferrari racers gets 499P-inspired colours
What a return to endurance racing it’s been for Maranello, then. Away from Le Mans for 50 years, then Ferrari wins three on the trot. Impressive. It means the 499P must already rank as one of the Prancing Horse sportscar racing legends; this new 296 Speciale celebrates a modern motorsport marvel.
The Speciale Piloti Ferrari was actually shown before the AF Corse car of Robert Kubica, Yifei Ye, and Phil Handson took the chequered flag; if anything, three wins on the bounce for the 499P, in factory and private hands, only makes the car look even more interesting. Like the previous 488 Pista Piloti (read the PH Heroes story here), it’s a model that, new at least, is only offered to clients ‘involved in Ferrari’s official sporting activities — both competitive and non-competitive.’ Which sounds a lot like racing drivers, really, given what a Speciale Piloti is likely to cost. Ferrari says this Tailor Made Speciale variant is ‘designed for those who live the track firsthand… a community of client-racing drivers who actively contribute to Ferrari’s racing legacy.’
It has been revealed to the world in Rosso Scuderia, one of four colours that will be offered for the Piloti and the one that most closely resembles the 2023 Le Mans-winning 499P of Antonio Giovinazzi, James Calado, and Alessandro Pier Guidi. Not only was that the year Ferrari won on its return to the top level of endurance racing, it was also the Le Mans centenary. So expect this one to be popular, complete with a hand-painted WEC logo. Also offered are Argento Nurburgring, Nero Daytona, and Blu Tour de France.
The interior has been designed ‘to reflect the driving experience and sense of belonging shared by those passionate about competition.’ Which doesn’t really make much sense. But Piloti pilots do get seat inserts made from the same fireproof fabric as race suits, the livery number in carbon fibre, and a plaque. The door sill and ‘technical metal footwell surface’ can be personalised.
The Speciale Piloti is mechanically identical to the plain old Speciale, which means something like 200hp more than the race car it celebrates. Such is the world of bonkers road cars these days. Its 880hp (!) and 1,410kg dry weight mean 0-124mph in seven seconds and a Fiorano lap time of 1:19. It might be a bit too fast for these racing drivers to handle, come to think of it.
The previous Pista Piloti was limited to just 40 units; Ferrari hasn’t said exactly how many 296 equivalents are being made, but evidently this is going to be a very rare special edition. Imagine what they might make if a 499P wins again…
After the 458 Speciale, Ferrari have been so inconsistent with their designs. Disappointing really.
But let's not kid ourselves. This was NOT a level playing field on BoP. It was all set up for the Ferrari 499P cars to be untouchable barring total disaster.
Good on Cadillac driver Sebastian Bourdais for calling it out publicly. He openly said after locking out the front row in qualifying that Cadillac didn't stand a chance in the race because the true Ferrari race pace was being concealed.
"Ferrari are taking the p***..." he said. Yes, Ferrari were - because the ACO allowed them to through BoP. Astonishing that the #6 Porsche 963 managed to get so close to winning.
https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/2019-ferrari-4...
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