The Vista AF Corse launch party marks the start of the countdown to the 2024 FIA world endurance championship
Last night, the biggest names from across the racing world and beyond came together to celebrate the world’s leading private aviation group, Vista, expanding its partnership with multi-winning AF Corse ahead of the upcoming FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). The 2024 line-up will see two Ferrari 296 LMGT3 cars contesting the Championship as Vista AF Corse dressed in the iconic silver and red livery.
The star-studded event was hosted at Milan Linate Airport yesterday evening to celebrate the build-up to the racing season, commencing in Qatar on 2nd March. Guests were welcomed in a hangar to get close to the cars and board some of the best aircraft in the world–– a VistaJet Challenger 350 and Global 7500, and an AW189 helicopter.
The selected patrons in attendance included the Vista AF Corse car #54 drivers Thomas Flohr, Francesco Castellacci and Davide Rigon; Vista AF Corse car #55 drivers Simon Mann and Alessio Rovera; Scuderia Ferrari F1 drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz; sports stars including Mutaz Barshim, Giorgio Rocca, Tommaso Chieffi and Mauro Pelaschier as well as guests from VistaJet’s partners and friends such as Gareth Wittstock and Remo Ruffini.
"Thank you so much to all –– from near and far –– for coming to the official Vista AF Corse launch event. 2024 marks a special celebration, 20 exciting years of Vista –– a company that has evolved from one jet to now over 300 jets, covering 96% of the world. Who’d have thought all those years ago, when launching the first silver with a red stripe aircraft, we’d be standing where we are today, launching Vista AF Corse in the exact same livery?
I’m so proud to introduce the Vista AF Corse team. FIA WEC is at an incredible inflection point –– with nine manufacturers joining WEC GT in 2024, competing in what is the highest level of motorsport next to F1, a true world championship. To represent Ferrari with the two competing cars is a big honour and responsibility for our team. And also, a natural extension of Vista’s long-time partnership with Ferrari."
Thomas Flohr, Founder and chairman of Vista
Car #54 driver Francesco Castellacci presented a message on behalf of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. The words expressed a sense of pride in seeing the Foundation’s logo on the livery and relayed the gratitude felt by all at the Foundation for the Vista AF Corse support of its cause with a donation for every point won during the championship –– to promote healthy living and sports values, with a core focus on children’s safety.
"We will race in the most important endurance championship with two Ferrari 296 GT3, which will make their FIA WEC debut. It is an ambitious project that comes after so many years spent together on tracks all over the world and above all from the friendship that has been created and strengthened over time with Thomas.
It gives me immense pleasure to present two very strong driver line-ups with great potential to achieve the best results possible. I want to thank Thomas, the whole Vista group and Ferrari for believing in us and for choosing us as their team in the FIA WEC LMGT3 class."
Amato Ferrari
VistaJet guests and clients will now be able to follow the FIA WEC championship live, reserving a spot in the Vista house that will be set up at the main events, where VistaJet Cabin Hosts will offer a taste of the unparalleled in-cabin service and the gastronomic delights provided by VistaJet Private World chefs and partners.
To reserve a private flight to join the races, visit vistajet.com
Follow the team on Instagram @scuderiavista_afcorsewec