After the first five rounds of the season held in Qatar, Italy, Belgium, France, and Brazil, the two Prancing Horse official drivers competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship with the Vista AF Corse-run 296 LMGT3s reflected on the year so far as they looked ahead to the final three races, set for the United States and Japan in September and Bahrain in November. The number 21 team of Alessio Rovera, François Heriau, and Simon Mann, is currently second in the FIA Endurance Trophy standings for LMGT3 Drivers. The number 54 car, crewed by Davide Rigon, Thomas Flohr, and Francesco Castellacci, sits ninth. 

A verdict on the 2025 world championship after the first five races? 

AR: It has been a fairly positive year so far. We kicked off with a fifth place in Lusail, Qatar. Then, at Imola, we suffered a contact that compromised our race. Without that, we could have finished second. After that, we scored a fantastic win at Spa and took second at Le Mans, earning us key points and moving up to second place in the championship standings.

DR: Positive, even compared to 2024. We have completed every race except Le Mans due to a technical issue, performed strongly across a variety of circuits, and developed an excellent understanding with the 296 LMGT3. One positive aspect is that we often remained in the running for the leading positions, even if at times we did not fully capitalise on the potential available.

Best moment so far?

AR: The win at Spa. The win at Spa was one we earned on the track, showing we had a very competitive car and an outstanding team. It was a truly special victory. 

DR: The 6 Hours of Spa, where we showed great pace. I drove the last two stints, had a lot of fun, and even managed to get back into the lead. Then we had to serve some penalties that cost us the win, but climbing the podium was incredible and gave us a big confidence boost. 

What are your goals for COTA and, more generally, for the final three races?

AR: We’ll need to maximise our potential and score as many points as we can, after struggling in São Paulo, where we were carrying 46 kilos of ballast due to our win in Belgium and our recent results. 

DR: At Austin, our main goal is to do everything right and aim for a top-five finish, which I believe is realistic on that circuit. We’ll carry this same spirit into the final rounds of the season, aiming to climb the podium every time.

This year marks the debut season of the 296 LMGT3 in the FIA WEC, and it’s also the third season for the GT3 configuration in other international series. What would you highlight about this car? 

AR: The car has already won many times across various competitions, both in GT3 and LMGT3 configurations. For example, I’m thinking of the Team and Drivers’ titles in the 2024 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup, which I won together with Davide and Ale (Rigon and Pier Guidi, Ed.). One of the car’s key strengths is its aerodynamic efficiency, which allows us to be competitive across a wide range of circuits. Our 296 LMGT3 is a “mature” car that, with the debut of the Evo version in 2026, will be further “strengthened” in the areas where we have identified room for growth. 

DR: Speaking of the World Endurance Championship, the car is performing very well, and over the first five races of 2025, it has proven to be highly competitive. Now in its third season, the 296 GT3 is fully showcasing its capabilities. The teams running it, starting with our own Vista AF Corse in the FIA WEC, have gained experience, refined their strategy, and improved overall race management with each race. That progress has allowed us as drivers to maximise everything the car has to offer.

Talking about Vista AF Corse, how much and how have you grown as a team over the past few seasons?

AR: We’ve made significant progress everywhere. Regarding us as drivers: if I consider the journey that François and Simon (Heriau and Mann, Ed.) have taken, I can only praise them. At the beginning of 2024, François came from LMP2 and had no prior experience in GT racing, so he had to adapt to a new environment. Race after race, he’s made remarkable progress and is now firmly among the top Bronze-rated drivers. Simon has also grown greatly as a driver and continues to demonstrate what he’s capable of. 

DR: This is my third year racing with Thomas and Francesco (Flohr and Castellacci, Ed.), and our chemistry has steadily improved. I’m really happy with how well we work together. Meanwhile, our experience at this level of competition has grown to the point where we can often fully utilise the potential we have. 

Davide, at the end of September, you’ll go back to Fuji, where you and your teammates have won the last two editions of the 6 Hours. (The 2024 victory was the first World Endurance Championship win for the 296 LMGT3, Ed.) It must be a special track for you…

After narrowly missing victory in the LMGTE Pro class in previous years, I’m thrilled to have secured wins in Japan for two consecutive years with Thomas and Francesco. It’s a unique circuit. It’s short, has a long straight, and features a very slow third sector; a very challenging track for both drivers and cars. Our 296 LMGT3 is very responsive in that final section, where we can really make a difference. 

Alessio, the final race of the year will be in Bahrain, where in 2024 your crew claimed its first win together… 

I’ll admit it’s not a track I especially love, because from a technical standpoint, I don’t think it fits my driving style or our car’s characteristics very well, but last year we achieved a great win there. So, after the rounds at COTA and Fuji, we’ll return to Bahrain aiming to end the season on a high note and, as always, to battle for a top position in the standings.