Class winner in 2016 Sebring 12 Hours and Watkins Glen 6 Hours
Class winner in 2016 IMSA Weathertech Sportscar Championship
Driven in one-off appearance by former Scuderia Ferrari driver Stefan Johansson
Fresh from a recent service after finishing the 2017 Le Mans 24 Hours
The latest in Ferrari’s illustrious line of rear-engine V-8 GT cars, the 488 GTE made its competition debut in the 2016 Daytona 24 Hours. With one car each from SMP Racing, Risi Competizione and Scuderia Corsa, it was the last named – with the sister car to that offered here – who defied expectations to take an excellent 10th place overall and 4th in class, behind established GT class grandees Corvette Racing and Porsche.
Scuderia Corsa purchased a second 488 – this car – for the Sebring 12 Hours in March, where it was driven by Alessandro Balzan, Jeff Segal and Christina Nielsen. Against strong class opposition from Aston Martin Racing and the Alex Job Racing Porsches, the car ran faultlessly to win the GT Daytona class and finish 22nd overall – ahead of some nine other GTE cars on the same lap.
In the IMSA Championship, 2nd and 3rd places at Laguna Seca and Detroit were followed by another class win at the prestigious Watkins Glen 6 Hours which, as at Sebring, equated to 22nd place overall. Thereafter, Nielsen and Balzan took 3rd in class at Elkhart Lake, Circuit of the Americas and in Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, culminating in a class victory in the end of season championship standings, which marked the first time a female driver won a major North American sports car championship for Christina Nielsen.
In the 2017 Daytona 24 Hours, Sam Bird and Matteo Cressoni joined Nielsen and Balzan, and although officially retired after 22 hours, the car was still classified a finisher in 38th place. Following a one-off appearance in the Pirelli World Challenge – where the car was driven by former Scuderia Ferrari driver Stefan Johansson – the car was entered at Le Mans in June, with Bret Curtis the third driver on this occasion. After a tumultuous race that involved a late-race collision and resulting in lengthy repairs, the car crossed the line in 44th place and 14th in the GTE-Am class, the class having been won by another 488 GTE.
With 5,000 km of driving time left on the engine and 6,000 km left on the gearbox, the 488 GTE is supplied with a 12-month powertrain warranty, should the purchaser wish Scuderia Corsa to continue to prepare the car on their behalf. Presented in its Le Mans livery, with impeccable history – and offered for sale direct from the original owner – 4208 is still eligible for numerous GT series worldwide.