Piloti Ferrari 296 Speciale for racers only

FERRARI used the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans to unveil its ultra-exclusive 296 Speciale with track-focused Piloti Ferrari configuration, paying homage to the 499P that would go on to win the gruelling endurance race for the third year running.

The Prancing Horse rolled out the exclusive model on the eve of the race, using the Circuit de la Sarthe as its backdrop, celebrating a return to the podium in the hypercar category of Le Mans in recent years.

Inspired by the 499P – which won the race again this year, shortly after the reveal – the 296 Speciale with Piloti Ferrari setup acts as a tribute to the 2023 race winner, emblazoned with the winning team’s 51 number as well as a hand-painted Italian flag.

Apparently, racer-clients will be able to choose the number they wish to have displayed on the bonnet of their 296 Speciale Piloti, and the model will be available in four racing-inspired colour schemes – Rosso Scuderia, Blu Tour De France, Nero Daytona and Argento Nürburgring.

While it is not overtly clear as to exactly who will be eligible to purchase the (presumably very expensive) 296 Speciale in Piloti guise, the company stated in its announcement that it the model will be “reserved for clients involved in Ferrari’s official sporting activities – both competitive and non-competitive”.

It is clear then that, at the very least, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, of the Scuderia Ferrari F1 team, will be eligible to spend their winnings on the racer-only model.

Performance remains the same as the standard 296 Speciale, which is powered by a mid-rear-engined twin-turbo V6, with assistance provided from an electric motor, producing total outputs of 648kW/755Nm.

This makes the race-inspired 296 Speciale more powerful than its 499P inspiration, with the Le Mans car producing a more subdued 500kW from its twin-turbo V6 engine.

Aside from the motorsport-inspired livery, the Piloti Ferrari variant features racing seats shod with thermoformed Alcantara, complete with inserts made from the same fireproof material as the drivers’ race suits.

Ferrari also allows buyers to customise the metal footwell surface and carbon-fibre door sill, among some other livery details that make their way into the cabin.

With the standard 296 Speciale going for upwards of $700,000, the Piloti version is likely to hike that price further north – but remember buyers must also qualify as legitimate track-goers.

While Ferrari has not disclosed how many will be produced, the last time it produced a Piloti special was with the 488 Pista in 2018 and it is rumoured that only around 40 of those were built.

There’s a good chance, then, that 296 Speciale Piloti will be just as exclusive.