The Ferrari 296 GT3 marked a fundamental shift in Ferrari's GT racing lineage when it entered competition in 2023: for the first time, a turbocharged engine — a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 producing approximately 600 hp — replaced the naturally aspirated units that had defined Ferrari GT3 cars for decades. Developed in collaboration with Michelotto Automobili and homologated under FIA GT3 regulations, the 296 GT3 immediately entered programmes across IMSA, GT World Challenge Europe and beyond.
A 3.0-Litre Twin-Turbo V6 and the End of an Era
The Ferrari 296 GT3 is built on the same platform as the 296 GTB road car, sharing its 2,990 cc twin-turbocharged V6 architecture — designated F163CE in road form. In GT3 specification the engine produces around 600 hp and sits in a mid-mounted position, keeping the weight distribution that made the 488 GT3 successful. Exterior dimensions are close to the road car's 4,565 mm overall length, giving the race car a compact, purposeful stance. The 296 GT3 replaced the 488 GT3 Evo from the 2023 season onward.
DragonSpeed at Laguna Seca: GTD Class, 2025 IMSA Season
DragonSpeed is an American-based outfit with a competition record spanning IMSA, the WEC and Le Mans. For the 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the team entered the Ferrari 296 GT3 in the GTD class under the No. 81, pairing Spanish driver Albert Costa — experienced across GT World Challenge Europe and Ferrari customer programmes — with Italian driver Giacomo Altoè, who has built his career through Ferrari-affiliated GT racing. The car carried a red, yellow and black livery that references both Ferrari's heritage colours and DragonSpeed's distinctive identity.
BBR Models: Italian Resin Craftsmanship at 1:18 Scale
BBR Models — Best Box Resin — is an Italian manufacturer regarded by Ferrari collectors as one of the most exacting producers of 1:18 resin scale models. Working in resin rather than diecast allows the studio to reproduce complex aerodynamic surfaces, fine panel lines and race livery graphics with a fidelity that injection-moulded processes struggle to match. This piece captures the No. 81 DragonSpeed Ferrari 296 GT3 in its Laguna Seca 2025 specification, sitting within BBR's established 1:18 Ferrari GT3 resin range.
Placing the Model in a Collection
Computed from the 4,565 mm real-car length at 1:18 scale, this model measures approximately 25.5 cm. That footprint suits a single shelf bay but rewards open display where the red, yellow and black flanks are fully visible. The piece pairs naturally with other BBR 1:18 Ferrari GT3 subjects — including 296 GT3 entries from other 2023–2025 campaigns — and complements 1:18 resin renditions of the Ferrari 296 GTB road car, which shares the same V6 platform.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the 1:18 scale model?
The Ferrari 296 GT3 has an overall length of approximately 4,565 mm. Divided by 18, that gives a model length of roughly 25.5 cm. Allow at least 28–30 cm of shelf depth to display it comfortably without crowding neighbouring pieces.
Does the model have opening parts?
BBR Models produces its 1:18 Ferrari subjects in resin, which is a one-piece sealed body construction. There are no opening doors, bonnet or engine cover. The maker's attention to detail is concentrated on exterior surfaces: bodywork geometry, aerodynamic elements, livery graphics and wheel detail.
What material is the model made from, and why does that matter?
The model is cast in resin, the material of choice for small-run, high-fidelity collector pieces. Resin allows sharper edge definition and more precise paint layering than diecast zinc alloy, making it well suited to the complex surfaces of a GT3 race car.
What is the significance of the Ferrari 296 GT3 in Ferrari's racing history?
The 296 GT3 was Ferrari's first GT3 homologated car to use a turbocharged engine — a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 — when it debuted in the 2023 season. It replaced the naturally aspirated 488 GT3 Evo and was developed with Michelotto Automobili under FIA GT3 regulations.
