In a striking display of teamwork and skill, Conquest Racing with Ferrari has secured an impressive 6th place result in the GTD class in the Qualifying session leading up to the renowned Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. Thanks to Albert Costa Balboa’s flying lap, Conquest Racing was the quickest Ferrari 296 GT3 on track. The team’s performance signals a strong entry into one of the most challenging endurance races in the world.

American driver Manny Franco, who is making his debut in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship this weekend, expressed his enthusiasm; “Our Qualifying performance today proves that we are a team that is capable of competing at the top of the leaderboard, and we have made a great deal of improvements very quickly. I’ve greatly enjoyed my first weekend in IMSA and I’m spending my time learning as much as possible, and I’m feeling more and more comfortable in the car with each and every lap. Albert, Cédric, and Alessandro are great teammates and we have been working very well together. I believe we have a great program and we will be pushing hard to secure a good result in the Rolex 24 next week.”

His teammate Albert Costa Balboa echoed this sentiment; “I’m thrilled to be in the top six, it’s exactly where I was aiming to be, and I’m extremely satisfied with the team’s efforts in achieving this. The car is performing exceptionally well, offering a smooth driving experience that I really enjoy. It’s important to remember that this is a new program, and we’re still in the learning phase, but I believe we’re making progress in the right direction. During the Roar and our practice sessions, we’ve experimented with various approaches. My teammates have been outstanding, contributing significantly to our success. We’re all aligned in our understanding of the car’s performance, which simplifies our tasks. The mechanics are doing a fantastic job too. It’s crucial that we maintain our focus, stay humble, and continue moving forward. So far, everything looks promising.”

Cédric Sbirrazzuoli added; “Albert had a great performance in Qualifying today, and overall we are very pleased with the progress we have made over the course of the Roar Before the 24 weekend. The team has been working incredibly hard and we know we are capable of delivering a strong result. We have learned a lot about the car and how to extract as much as we can out of it, and this program is shaping up to be a very competitive one. Full focus on race week!”

Alessandro Balzan remarked on the team’s significant progress; “Albert’s qualifying performance was exceptional. We’re proud to represent Ferrari and be the fastest Ferrari in the field. The level of competition at the Rolex 24 at Daytona is extraordinary. Our strategy is centered on teamwork and preparation, focusing on refining our driver changes and familiarizing ourselves with all race procedures.”

Eric Bachelart, Team Owner, reflected on the team’s promising start. “This new venture has been smooth sailing thanks to the incredible team chemistry. We’re witnessing remarkable performances, and I’m excited for the race to start.”

Conquest Racing will be back on track next week to participate in the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona.