Mastering the Thrill: A First-Drive Experience in the Ferrari 296 GTS and the All-New Ferrari Challenge Australasia
For automotive enthusiasts, the name Ferrari represents the pinnacle of performance, engineering artistry, and racing heritage. Driving a car from this legendary Maranello manufacturer is often a dream reserved for the select few, a near-mythical experience that many aspire to but few truly achieve. As an industry veteran with a decade of professional automotive insight, I can attest that nothing quite compares to the visceral thrill of being behind the wheel of a Prancing Horse.
Recently, I was fortunate enough to get a hands-on encounter with the cutting-edge hybrid supercar, the Ferrari 296 GTS, during a unique press event staged in the rolling countryside near Adelaide. This wasn’t just a simple test drive; it was an immersive journey that culminated at The Bend Motorsport Park, the home of Australian motorsport. But the primary purpose of this expedition was far grander: the official launch of the highly anticipated Ferrari Challenge Australasia racing series, set to ignite its inaugural season in 2025. While the main focus was on the competition, the drive along South Australia’s scenic routes served as the perfect prelude—a chance to truly experience the prowess of the 296 GTS road car that forms the foundation of this new racing endeavor.
The Reality of the Prancing Horse
The moment arrived when I was asked, “Have you driven a Ferrari before?” The question caught me off guard. I had been a passenger in Ferraris before, shared the passenger seat with racing legends, and witnessed their engineering marvels up close. Yet, when I sat down and considered it deeply, I realized the truth: I had never actually driven one before.
This realization, occurring just as I carefully settled myself into the sleek, Rosso Imola red interior of the 296 GTS, made the entire experience exponentially more significant. My drive from Adelaide to The Bend was more than just a drive; it was a momentous milestone in my career. This was my first official opportunity to command the full potential of a Ferrari.
I am genuinely glad I came to this realization at that exact moment, because it allowed me to savour every nuance of the experience. It heightened my appreciation for the tangible weight and texture of the large, intricate ignition key. It magnified the sensation of sitting so low to the ground that the asphalt seemed mere inches away. Every detail screamed performance—the tactile feedback from the steering wheel, the purposeful clicks of the controls, and the distinct aroma of fine Italian leather mingling with high-performance components.
In true Ferrari fashion, the design prioritizes driver engagement over everyday convenience. Practicalities, such as storage for a water bottle or a backpack, quickly become secondary considerations in such a purpose-built machine. But that doesn’t matter. This is a two-seater supercar, engineered for pure driving exhilaration. And for those moments when you need to maintain composure, the car offers a special mode known as “qualifying mode.” If you need anything more than that in a road-going sports car, you are perhaps looking in the wrong place.
The Ferrari Heritage and the 296 in the Modern Era
The deep ties that Ferrari maintains with motorsport, especially apparent in the 296 GTB and 296 GTS, were central themes throughout our exploration of the South Australian countryside. The core mission of the event was to introduce Ferrari Challenge Australasia, the newest iteration of the manufacturer’s renowned client racing program. This new championship is set to launch in 2025, and by having the road-going 296 as the official pace and demonstration car, the line between road and track blurred beautifully.
While the primary agenda was the official race series launch, the opportunity to unleash the 296 GTS on public roads was an invaluable bonus. This was not a closed circuit; we were adhering strictly to the laws of the road. Yet, that’s the beauty of modern supercars like the 296 GTS. The aggressive engine tuning, the stiff clutch engagement, and the high-performance gear shifts that used to make these types of cars challenging to drive at low speeds have been largely tamed by cutting-edge technology.
The integrated hybrid system in the 296 model allows for genuine all-electric driving, even in traffic conditions, and the output is certainly not lacking. Only when the driver applies just the right amount of throttle does the twin-turbocharged V6 engine burst to life. Even then, the delivery of the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) is remarkably smooth. In fact, if it weren’t for the evocative acoustics, you might not even realize the engine has engaged. The automatic transition from electric to ICE is an impressive technological feat, but one that I only indulged in a few times. I didn’t choose to drive a Ferrari to have a quiet, smooth journey; I wanted the thrill of the performance and the raw sound of the engine.
The Power and Precision of the V6 Hybrid
So, with the traffic cleared, the focus shifted to experiencing the twin-turbo V6 firsthand (in controlled, responsible bursts, of course). We wanted to get a small insight into what a peak output of 830 horsepower, achievable when the ICE and hybrid systems work together in qualifying mode, feels like.
The verdict? It’s incredibly fun. Even simply slowing down from high speed is an engaging experience, thanks to the full turbocharger experience being delivered throughout the rev range. If aggressive turbo noises are your passion, you will be thoroughly delighted by this car’s performance soundtrack.
Thankfully, at least in my opinion, Ferrari has only streamlined the low-speed driving experience. Once you transition to faster, bumpier roads, the impression remains undeniably that you are driving a Ferrari. Every subtle change in the road surface is felt, every ripple in the asphalt is communicated directly to the driver. For a purist with a racing background, this connection to the road is a truly remarkable and rewarding experience.
However, a word of warning: when they say the steering is direct, it is extremely direct. On the open road, it feels precise and manageable. But you must be incredibly careful when avoiding obstacles, such as potholes on the highway. If you react too abruptly, you can find yourself in a completely different lane very quickly. The responsiveness is a key highlight of the 296 GTS, but it demands respect and smooth inputs from the driver.
Ferrari Challenge Australasia: Redefining Clientele Racing
With Ferrari, it’s all about the comprehensive experience. This philosophy is evidently the cornerstone of the new Ferrari Challenge Australasia series as well. The Challenge Australasia is a natural extension of the Club Challenge program that has been successfully operating in Australia since 2022.
The Club Challenge program offers customers the opportunity to purchase a dedicated Challenge race car, which until now has predominantly featured the 488 Evo model. These specialized vehicles are designed for track days and are supported by professional coaching and technical assistance, along with the level of hospitality that Ferrari customers have come to expect.
Much like the highly successful programs in other regions, such as Europe, North America, the UK, and Japan, Australia will now feature the next evolution of Ferrari’s ‘clienti’ program—a dedicated one-make racing series. Unlike existing professional racing categories in this country, such as GT World Challenge Australia or Carrera Cup, Ferrari is not targeting established racing drivers. Instead, the manufacturer aims to bring new drivers into the world of motorsport.
The enticing reward for these drivers is the brand new 296 Challenge. As expected from Ferrari, this race car is absolutely stunning. As it represents the third generation of Challenge vehicles, following the iconic 458 and 488 models, the primary focus for the development team was refinement.
Engineering the Next Generation
For instance, the previous V8-powered versions of the Challenge car suffered from understeer, which is quite typical for cars built to be manageable by amateur drivers. However, thanks to an innovative s-duct at the front and swan-neck mounting for the rear wing, Ferrari has successfully increased overall downforce while simultaneously shifting the balance more towards the front of the car. This crucial engineering adjustment improves grip without making the car overly difficult to handle for amateur drivers.
The new braking package offers a much wider operating window. Additionally, the removal of the hybrid system from the 296 Challenge car freed up space for a very effective air conditioning unit, significantly improving driver comfort—a vital feature for endurance racing.
The first V6-powered Challenge car may lack the hybrid assistance it enjoys on the road, but with a revised exhaust system and other tuning adjustments, it still produces an impressive 700 horsepower. This is over 30 horsepower more than the output of the isolated ICE engine in the road-going 296. The general result is a race car that is significantly quicker than the 488 Challenge. The older model will still be eligible to compete in Ferrari Challenge Australasia, but will race in a separate class due to the performance gap.
The 2025 Calendar and Operational Structure
The Ferrari Challenge series is entirely dealer-aligned. Customers who wish to go racing purchase a new 296 Challenge from their trusted Ferrari dealer in Australia. The dealership then aligns itself with an official Ferrari-approved race team. This team works closely with the highly experienced AF Corse organization from Italy and Motokinetic here in Australia to provide comprehensive support to the driver.
Customers are welcome to take their 296 Challenge home with them for personal use, but
