This year’s 24 Hours of Daytona marks fifty years since one of the race’s most famous finishes.
Ferrari arrived at the 1967 24 Hours of Daytona with four cars targeting the overall victory, including the two examples of the new 330 P4. After twenty-four hours, the 330 P4 of Chris Amon and Lorenzo Bandini had done just that. The image of the three red Ferraris, led by Amon and Bandini’s No. 23 Ferrari 330 P4, became one of the most famous images in the race’s history.
Fifty years later, three Ferrari 488s will look to add to the company’s legacy as Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary.
Edwin Fenech, President and CEO of Ferrari North America is excited to return to Daytona, “After hosting an epic Ferrari World Finals in December at the Daytona International Speedway, we are looking forward to returning to the track for the start of the GT season where three Ferrari 488s will battle on the high banks to open the next chapter in GT racing here in America . The historic Ferrari win at Daytona 50 years ago certainly serves as great inspiration for us and the teams.”
Risi Competizione will represent Ferrari in the GT-LeMans class. The No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTE scored a dominant victory in last year’s IMSA finale, the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. The winning driver lineup from that race of Ferrari factory drivers James Calado, Giancarlo Fisichella and Toni Vilander will return with Risi Competizione, each seeking their first victory at Daytona International Speedway. Team Principal, Giuseppe Risi said, “As a Ferrari dealer [Ferrari of Houston], over the years we have raced the same model Ferraris that we have on the showroom floor and continue to do so with the Ferrari 488 GTLM. We’re proud of the successes we have had on the race track and hope it shows our customers the proud tradition of the Ferrari name.”
Scuderia Corsa and Spirit of Race will represent Ferrari in the GT-Daytona class. This will be the first 24 Hours of Daytona race for the Ferrari 488 GT3.
Scuderia Corsa returns with defending IMSA and North American Endurance Cup GT-Daytona champions Alessandro Balzan and Christina Nielsen, who will be joined in Daytona by Ferrari factory driver Sam Bird and Matteo Cressoni in the no. 63 Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 488 GT3. Team owner Giacomo Mattioli commented, “2017 marks the 70th anniversary for Ferrari and the debut of the 488GT3 in Daytona. There would not be a better way to celebrate than a success for Scuderia Corsa at the race track, where it all began.”
In the No. 51 Spirit of Race Ferrari 488 GT3 will be Peter Mann, Rino Mastronardi, Maurizio Mediani, former 24 Hours of Daytona winner Alessandro Pier Guidi, and Ferrari factory driver Davide Rigon.
