Ferrari 333 SP

Lore & Background

A total of 40 chassis were built, the first 4 by Ferrari, then 11 by Dallara and the remaining 26 by Michelotto. It is believed that 27 chassis were raced, between 1994 and 2003. The Tipo F130E engine was a modified version of the 65-degree V12 engine used in the 1990 Ferrari 641 Formula One car, enlarged from 3.5 L to 4.0 L and producing 641 hp @ 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.

In 1995, the 333 SP took top honors at the 12 Hours of Sebring and secured another four wins, winning the makes championship. The car also made its debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but was not much competitive that year: its best result was the 6th spot. However, next year the red #12 of Risi Competizione team had won LMP1 class at their first Le Mans race. In 1997, the Ferrari won again at Sebring and took another four wins.

In 1998, the car was slightly updated, and found new life in the International Sports Racing Series, winning every race and scoring the championship's two top spots. In America, the car won three rounds in the IMSA Championship (including Sebring) and took Wayne Taylor to second in the final standings while Ferrari won the makes championship. In the rival USRRC Can-Am championship, the 333 SP finally managed to take the Daytona 24 Hours crown. Starting from 1999, the car found its niche in the European races. The 333 SP's final appearance was at the 2003 500km of Monza.

Reader's Guide

The Ferrari 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 to 4.0 L. The car debuted at the third round of the 1994 IMSA GT Championship at Road Atlanta on 17th April. It won the IMSA makes championship in 1995 and 1998, and the drivers title in 1995. At Le Mans, its best result was 6th overall in 1995, and it won the LMP1 class in 1996.