The Ferrari 296 GT3 is agile, fast, and unforgiving if you rush your inputs. New to the car? Use these fundamentals to build consistency before you chase ultimate lap time.
Braking: Let ABS Save You, Not Slow You
The 296’s ABS is excellent, but it’s not a substitute for technique. Aim for 90–95% peak pressure and bleed off smoothly as you turn. This transfers weight to the front tires so the nose rotates, then stabilizes the rear as you release. Stomping the pedal triggers ABS oscillation and lengthens stopping distances.
Tire Management: Protect the Rears
Rear tire temp spikes come from wheelspin and yaw. If your rears overheat in the F9 box, you’re likely too greedy on throttle or sliding mid‑corner. Focus on straightening the wheel before you squeeze power, and avoid big steering corrections that scrub speed and heat the rubber. Over a run, a small increase in rear pressures can keep the balance neutral.
Throttle Discipline: Roll, Don’t Jab
The turbo V6 makes stout mid‑range torque. On second‑gear exits, roll on throttle progressively to stay below the TC threshold. Early on, run slightly higher TC to keep the car tidy; as you improve, reduce TC a click to unlock rotation and exit speed.
Fuel Load & Balance
Heavy fuel pushes the balance toward understeer. As the car lightens, rotation increases—great for lap time but riskier on exits. Adjust brake bias forward for full‑fuel stints to stabilize entry, then bring it back as the run goes on.
Baseline Setups & First Tweaks
- Start “Stable”: More forgiving on bumps and curbs, ideal for learning tracks.
- Try “Aggressive” later: Sharper rotation but a snappier rear; great for qualifying.
- Easy tweaks: +1 front wing for high‑speed stability, a touch more rear rebound to calm exits, or +0.2 bar rear pressures for long stints.
Sprint vs Endurance
In sprints, accept a little slide for peak pace and run lower fuel. In endurance, prioritize tire life and consistency: short‑shift in hot conditions, avoid curb strikes that spike temps, and keep brake temps even to prevent pull under heavy stops.
Practice Plan
- Time Trial: Build rhythm without traffic. Target a sequence of 10 laps within 0.5s.
- AI Race: Learn braking in dirty air and side‑by‑side exits.
- Open Practice: Draft management and rejoining safely after mistakes.
When you’re comfortable, dive into the deeper car context in our full 296 GT3 Overview and keep current with handling changes via the latest update article.
