This year, Ferrari will field three 488 GTEs under the AF Corse banner in an attempt to counter the four-prong attack of Porsche and Ford and claim the LMGTE Pro crown after a three-year barren spell.

The Italian manufacturer had already announced the two pairings that will do battle throughout the World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) 2018-19 Super Season – Calado/Pier Guidi in the #51 488 GTE and Bird/Rigon in the #71 sister car – as well as Tony Vilander, the designated driver of #52.

Reigning GT World Endurance Drivers’ Championship title holders, James Calado and Alessandro Pier Guidi, will be joined by Daniel Serra at Le Mans. The Brazilian impressed last year in winning the LMGTE Pro class on his first appearance at the track in the Aston Martin Vantage.

Like last year, the #71 will be in the hands of Sam Bird, Davide Rigon and Miguel Molina who will be looking to improve on their 2017 ranking (P5 in LMGTE Pro).

For the third car (#52), Ferrari has opted for the experienced Toni Vilander, Le Mans LMGTE Pro winner for AF Corse in 2012 and 2014. The Finn will team up with Luis Felipe (Pipo) Derani, who has switched from Ford after finishing runner-up in the 2017 edition, and newcomer Antonio Giovinazzi, a Sauber Formula One reserve driver, who will be making his Le Mans début.

An exciting battle is once again in store in the LMGTE Pro class with the arrival of BMW alongside Aston Martin’s new Vantage, 2015 winner Chevrolet Corvette, Ferrari, 2016 winner Ford, and Porsche, without a class win since 2013.

Photo (© ACO/Nikon):  Pipo Derani is switching from Ford in 2017 to Ferrari in 2018 for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.