Ferrari 333 SP

Lore & Background

The 333 SP was built to compete in the IMSA's new WSC class. Its engine was a modified version of the 65-degree V12 from the 1990 Ferrari 641 Formula One car, enlarged from 3.5 L to 4.0 L and producing 641 hp at 11,000 rpm. The car debuted in the third round of the 1994 IMSA GT Championship at Road Atlanta on 17th April, securing the first two places. It won the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1995 and 1997, and took class wins at Le Mans, including the LMP1 class in 1998 for Risi Competizione. Its best overall Le Mans result was 6th in 1997. The car won the IMSA WSC championship in 1995 and 1998, and the International Sports Racing Series (later FIA Sportscar Championship) titles in 1998, 1999, and 2000. Its final appearance was at the 2003 500km of Monza.

In Their Own Story

The roar of the V12 echoed through the Mistral Straight, a sound distinct from the whine of turbos that dominated the grid. It was the final hour of the 1994 race, rain beginning to mist over the Mulsanne Corner. Unlike the frantic chaos surrounding the Peugeot and Mercedes garages, the Scuderia Italia crew moved with practiced calm. The car had run flawlessly for twenty-four hours, a testament to engineering that prioritized survival over outright speed. As it pulled away from the pits, the Prancing Horse on the nose seemed to smile at the fading lights of the grandstands, knowing that consistency was its greatest weapon.

Reader's Guide

The Ferrari 333 SP is a sports prototype that competed primarily in IMSA and European sports car series from 1994 to 2003. It was powered by a 4.0-liter V12 engine derived from Ferrari's Formula One engine. The car achieved class wins at Le Mans but never an overall victory. It was most successful in the IMSA GT Championship and the International Sports Racing Series.

Did You Know?

• The 333 SP was built by Dallara and later Michelotto, with only the first 4 of 40 chassis built by Ferrari itself.
• Its engine was a 4.0-liter V12 producing 641 hp, derived from the 1990 Ferrari 641 Formula One car.
• The car won the LMP1 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1998 for Risi Competizione, though it had previously raced at Le Mans in 1995, 1996, and 1997.
• The 333 SP won the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1995 and 1997.