The prototype 2008 version of the GT2 class winning Ferrari F430 GT had its first test session this week at the Mugello circuit in the hands of Jaime Melo and Gianmaria Bruni. Brazilian driver Melo, an official Ferrari test driver, brings American Le Mans Series (ALMS) experience to the equation while Italian former F1 pilot Bruni is a leading contender with this car in the FIA GT Championship and the Le Mans Series (LMS) this year.

The 2008 specification F430GT is an evolution of the current championship winner, but it involves significant new evolutions. Particularly so as its main rival Porsche has been working very hard to make up the ground it lost when the all-conquering F430GT first hit the tracks at the beginning of last year. The revised car features a new engine, with a new aspiration system, more horsepower and better torque.

It also has a new aerodynamic package, with different air intakes at the front, a flat wing at the rear and a new undertray. The suspension has been revised also and features a new geometry set up as well. The two day test was reportedly a success, with the cars first laps going well; while the initial test programme also focused on comparing this evolutionary car to the proven 2007 version.

The new car will be officially shown to the press and public during the World Ferrari Days event which concludes at the Ferrari-owned Mugello circuit on October 28th. As usual, the Tuscan track will host a wide array of events covering all activities of the Corse Clienti department of Maranello, including the Ferrari Challenge series, the FXX programme, as well as historic F1 and sports cars. The programme will be topped off by the traditional demonstration from Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro on the main day of the event.
 

The Ferrari F430GT has had a sensational second season this year, which kicked off stateside in February when Houston, Texas-based Risi Competizione sensationally won the highly prestigious 12 Hours of Sebring. Mika Salo, Jaime Melo and Johnny Mowlem took the chequered flag at the end of this tough challenge less than two-tenths of a second ahead of the second placed Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, after one of endurance racing's closest ever finishes. Now, with just one round of the ALMS series remaining, Melo and Salo are on course for the drivers' title while Ferrari and Risi Competizione lead the manufacturers' and teams' standing respectively.

In the FIA GT Championship, the F430GT has also been the car to beat. Italian outfit AF Corse have won the GT2 category in eight of the nine races so far and has put the teams' title beyond reach: it has 125 points compared to its closest rival, BMS Scuderia Italia which has amassed just 59 points. In the manufacturers' cup Ferrari (228.5 pts) has trounced its big rival Porsche (142.5 pts) thanks to the speed and reliability of the F430GT, while the AF Corse outfit's pilots are poised to take the drivers' title.

The F430GT is also the front runner in the Le Mans Series, with British team Virgo Motorsport putting the GT2 class teams' title out of reach, while its leading driver, Robert Bell, is all set to clinch the drivers' title when the series wraps up after the final round is held at the Interlagos circuit in Brazil next month.