Behold: the Ferrari 296 GT3

Ferrari missed a collaboration opportunity here. The Batman was released a few weeks back; what would have been a perfect fit for this, the Ferrari 296 GT3. More than a sprinkling of menace about those flanks, you'll agree.

It’s your first look at Maranello’s 2023 GT racer, itself taking over from the 488 GT3 which is quite the apple polisher. That car, says Ferrari, won 107 titles and is the most successful Ferrari in history. We’re talking 429 wins from 770 starts.

No pressure then, 296. While Ferrari hasn’t detailed fully what it’s doing with the 296’s volumes, your eyes will assure you that there are indeed volumes. Even in these darkened sketches, there's no escaping those front arches, the new front setup, the side, the rear… everywhere you look, the proportions of the rakish 296 have been amplified.

It gets that base car’s rather tremendous V6 of course, minus the electricity, and we’re told the car is already being built and will begin its track tests in the coming months. Don’t forget, this 296 GT3 will have company next year, as Ferrari is also working on a full hypercar to contest the top class at Le Mans.

Is it just us, or should Ferrari run the 296 GT3 in this Dark Knight spec all season?