The T2 Motorsports team has a dream drive in the Ferrari 488 GT3

SINGAPORE — There are few things in life that are better than driving a Ferrari 488, and driving the track version of the car — the Ferrari 488 GT3 — probably counts as one of them. What remains a distant dream on the bucket list of many petrolheads recently became reality for the drivers of the recently launched T2 Motorsports team.

The team, founded by drivers and entrepreneurs Gregory Teo and David Tjiptobiantoro, has a budget of about US$1 million (S$1.36 million) for its 2016-2017 racing programme. This includes the Sepang rounds of the Intercontinental GT Challenge and ALMS championships, as well as two 12-hour endurance races.

Both drivers have competed in international racing series such as the Ferrari Challenge Asia Pacific and Aston Martin Asian Cup, and have raced the car’s predecessor, the Ferrari 458 GT3. And while the Ferrari Formula One team’s new cars aren’t always better than their predecessors (as can be said for any F1 team), the duo say that the 488 GT3 does indeed represent an improvement.

Said Gregory: “We have driven both the 458 GT3 and 488 GT3, and found that, besides the power increment, the downforce generated by the aerodynamics of the 488 GT3 is much higher than the 458 GT3.”

The changes, according to David, all add up to one key factor for any driver: Belief that the car will do what you want it to do. “The 488 GT3 is much more advanced in terms of engine, aerodynamic and technology for racing. The car gives the driver more confidence to take it to the limit.” SCOTT MARSH