When the AF Corse #51 Ferrari 488 GTE, driven by Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado, claimed the Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ titles in the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship, it proved—as if there was any doubt—that the 488 was as capable in competition as it was thrilling on the road. In celebration, Ferrari announced a special version of the 488 Pista at the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans. The 488 Pista ‘Piloti Ferrari’ would, as its name suggested, be offered exclusively to the marque’s client racing drivers.

Each 488 Pista “Piloti Ferrari” was completed by Ferrari Tailor Made and was offered in four racing-inspired colours: Rosso Corsa, Blu Tour De France, Nero Daytona, and Argento Nürburgring, with Italian tricolore graphics flowing rearward from the hood and adorning the rocker panels. Each car wore a unique racing number, and the hood proudly displayed graphics honouring the 2017 WEC victories. Tailor Made furnished a dizzying range of special features and options, including carbon fibre wheels and racing seats; titanium exhaust pipes; carbon fibre front flaps, side air splitters, rear diffuser, and engine cover; an integrated audio system and radio/navigation with Bluetooth; and numerous interior touches, including a white rev counter, carbon fibre interior trim, and stitched Cavallino emblems on the headrests.

Mechanical specifications are aligned with the standard series-production 488 Pista. An award-winning twin-turbocharged 3.9-litre V-8, producing 710 horsepower at 8,000 rpm, is paired with a seven-speed F1 dual-clutch transmission for lightning-fast shifts and a 2.8-second 0-60 mph sprint; Ferrari’s signature “Manettino” steering wheel allows for fingertip drive mode selection, while carbon ceramic disc brakes provide confident stopping power.

The example offered here left the Maranello factory finished in Blu Tour de Force with Tricolour livery over an Alcantaro Nero interior and was equipped with a hearty list of optional extras. Benefitting from generous application of carbon fibre trim, the 488 wears a lightweight air splitter, front flaps, engine cover, inner sill trim, rear diffuser and moulding, under-door cover, and wheels. Around the interior, the Ferrari is specified with carbon fibre air vents, front luggage compartment area, instrument cover, racing seats (in large), and upper centre console trim. To complement the attractive blue exterior and tricolore stripe, the Ferrari was equipped with red brake callipers. The car was further specified with titanium exhaust pipes, Apple CarPlay infotainment system with high-power hi-fi, front and rear parking sensors, four-point harness seatbelts, suspension lifter system, Cavallino headrest stitching, and more. Special Equipment included the number “39” painted on both doors, rear spoiler with glossy carbon look, and dashboard details in red leather (see RM Sotheby’s website for a full list of extras). Remarkably, the car shows very little use from new. The odometer shows just 426 miles at the time of cataloguing.

Any 488 Pista is an exceptional driver’s machine; the Piloti Ferrari, built in limited numbers worldwide and only offered to Ferrari’s cherished client racing drivers, adds further exclusivity to the already-compelling mix. Examples rarely come up for public sale, making this beautiful, well-optioned, and exceptionally low-mileage 488 Pista ‘Piloti Ferrari’ worthy of consideration by the modern sportscar aficionado.