Ferrari has revealed its latest creation, the 296 Speciale in the exclusive Piloti Ferrari configuration, at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, celebrating its recent triumphs in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). This unveiling, part of the brand’s Tailor Made personalisation programme, is a tribute to client racing drivers and the marque’s victorious return to top-level endurance racing. The debut fittingly took place at the Circuit de la Sarthe, just as the legendary race prepares for another chapter in its storied history.
The Piloti Ferrari specification draws direct inspiration from the Ferrari 499P Hypercar, which secured back-to-back victories at Le Mans in 2023 and 2024. It is reserved exclusively for clients engaged in Ferrari’s official motorsport endeavours — both competitive and non-competitive — and represents the essence of those who live and breathe the racing circuit.
Aesthetically, the Piloti Ferrari 296 Speciale reflects the colours and spirit of the 499P. Customers can choose from four exterior colours: Rosso Scuderia, Blu Tour De France, Nero Daytona, and Argento Nürburgring. The Giallo Modena livery incorporates hand-painted WEC logos, the Italian tricolour on the front bumper, and a bespoke racing number. The example presented at Le Mans proudly bears number 51, commemorating the victory of Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi in 2023 — a symbolic nod to Ferrari’s centenary return to top-class endurance racing.
The interior carries through the motorsport theme with racing seats finished in thermoformed black Alcantara®, enhanced by inserts of fireproof fabric used in official race suits. The chosen livery number appears on interior carbon fibre trim, and clients may further customise the metallic footwell finish. Other bespoke touches include a carbon-fibre identification plaque and door sills with a personalised dedication, making each example a true collector’s item.
Beneath the sculpted bodywork, the 296 Speciale represents a high-performance evolution of the standard 296 GTB. The plug-in hybrid powertrain features a 120-degree twin-turbocharged V6 paired with an electric motor. The internal combustion engine alone generates 697hp at 8000 rpm and delivers 755Nm of torque at 6000 rpm. The hybrid system contributes an additional boost, raising the total output to 868hp, supported by a 7.45 kWh battery with a maximum electric-only range of 25km.
Performance enhancements go far beyond raw power. The 8-speed dual-clutch transmission benefits from Ferrari’s fast-shift strategy, designed to sharpen responsiveness and maximise the contribution of electric torque. A 20% increase in aerodynamic downforce over the 296 GTB, along with a significant reduction in weight, ensures the car handles with greater precision and agility on track. Notable technical elements include suspended splitters, enlarged diffusers, and rear gamma wings, a blend of design and function that echoes racing DNA.
The 296 Speciale’s track-focused engineering includes a newly developed “extra boost” software strategy, delivering the full extent of the hybrid powertrain’s capability during intense circuit sessions. Chassis tuning has also been revised to elevate on-track dynamics to a level worthy of Ferrari’s motorsport pedigree.
The car’s inspiration, the Ferrari 499P Hypercar, marked the company’s return to the top class of the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2023 after a 50-year hiatus. Engineered to meet Hypercar regulations, the 499P features a carbon-fibre monocoque, double wishbone suspension, and a hybrid powertrain comprising a load-bearing 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 paired with a front-mounted electric motor. The system delivers approximately 670hp, with active all-wheel drive available above 190km/h and regenerative braking capabilities. Its dominance was solidified with Le Mans victories in consecutive years, fielding cars #51 and #50 under the Ferrari – AF Corse team banner.
Ferrari’s Tailor Made programme continues to play a pivotal role in offering clients an unparalleled level of customisation. The initiative invites owners to personalise every aspect of their Ferrari through curated collections: Classica, Inedita, and Scuderia. Guided by a team of experts and a personal designer, clients craft bespoke configurations that reflect their individuality while remaining true to the brand’s revered design ethos.
