Antonello Coletta: “For an Italian, Ferrari is magic”

The day after the Finali Mondiali of the Ferrari Challenge of which he is the organizer, the 55-year-old Roman did us the honor of looking back on his career at the wheel of a Ferrari 296 GTB. The opportunity to discuss the return to the forefront of the Scuderia in Endurance. All in a French with a hint of Italy.

Published on 11/11/2022 à 09:00

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Antonello Coletta: “For an Italian, Ferrari is magic”

Antonello Coletta - Director of Ferrari GT Sporting Activities © Ferrari

Antonello, why did you choose the Ferrari 296 GTB for this Carpooling ?

For me and Ferrari, it represents the car of the future. It replaces the 488 which achieved the best results in Endurance in GT in recent years. It also has the engine which is the basis of the one used in our LMH in action next season. Beyond that, it's an incredible car to drive. It is both easy and aggressive with spectacular lines. Currently, it is the one that best represents Ferrari.

You were born in 1967, the year of Ferrari's hat-trick at the 24 Hours of Daytona. Did your passion for motorsport come from these prototypes that rocked your childhood?

Yes, I grew up during a magical time. I was born in Rome and I remember a race at Vallelunga in 1973, I was six years old. I competed a lot for seven or eight years at a very good level. Unfortunately, I didn't have much of a budget and, at 19, I realized that without it, it would be difficult for me to have a career. So I did everything possible to work in the world of motor racing. I became the sports director of a small team of Formula 3 Italian, then in Formula 3000 (Forti Corse team. Editor’s note). I then occupied the fon