On the same card at the Monza National circuit as the opening round of this season’s Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli, featuring the new 458 Challenge car, there was another significant track debut, that of the Ferrari 458 Italia GT3. The car is prepared by Ferrari in collaboration with Michelotto Automobili and was on track for the first round of the GT Sprint International Series, which runs to a two race format, each of 25 minutes and runs as part of the Superstars event. Over the weekend, Fabio Mancini and Niki Cadei took turns at the wheel of the new Ferrari which was running in the colours of the AF Corse team and which confirmed in today’s race, the very high potential the car had to offer. It came second overall in Race 1 and third in the GTS3 with Niki Cadei’s excellent driving delivering the race fastest lap in 1.49.910 on lap 9. The outright win went to the F430 GTC of Massimiliano Mugelli (Vittoria Competizioni) with third place going to another F430 GTC driven by AF Corse’s Giuseppe Ciro. In the second race, the AF Corse Ferrari 458 GT3 took another good result finishing third overall in the hands of Fabio Mancini,behind the Vittoria Competizioni F430 GTC driven by Andrea Palma and the Ferrari of Michael Dalle Stelle (Racing Team Edil Cris) first and second overall respectively. Mancini, the leader in class GTS3 took a well deserved third place ahead of the Roberto Del Castello Corvette Z06 R.
Engine
Configuration
F142 GT3 90º V8
Location
Mid, longitudinally mounted
Construction
aluminium alloy block and head
Displacement
4,498 cc / 274.5 cu in
Bore / Stroke
94.0 mm (3.7 in) / 81.0 mm (3.2 in)
Valvetrain
4 valves / cylinder, DOHC
Fuel feed
Direct Fuel Injection
Lubrication
Dry sump
Aspiration
Naturally Aspirated
Power
543 bhp / 405 kW @ 9,000 rpm
Torque
550 Nm / 406 ft lbs @ 6,000 rpm
BHP/Liter
121 bhp / liter
Drivetrain
Body
aluminium and carbon fibre panels
Chassis
aluminium monocoque
Front suspension
double wishbones, coil springs over dampers, anti-roll bar
Rear suspension
multi-link, coil springs over dampers, anti-roll bar
Steering
rack-and-pinion, hydraulic power assistance
Brakes
ventilated discs, all-round, ABS
Gearbox
6 speed Sequential
Drive
Rear wheel drive
Dimensions
Weight
1,215 kilo / 2,679 lbs
Length / Width / Height
4,599 mm (181.1 in) / 2,035 mm (80.1 in) / 1,157 mm (45.6 in)
Wheelbase / Track (fr/r)
2,650 mm (104.3 in) / 1,728 mm (68 in) / 1,691 mm (66.6 in)