Conquest Racing Confirms Franco, Costa Balboa, Patrese & Vermeulen for Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona

As preparations intensify for the 2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season, Conquest Racing is pleased to announce its driver lineup for the No. 34 Corsa Horizon Ferrari 296 GT3. Manny Franco will reunite with Albert Costa Balboa as full-season teammates, marking an exciting return of the successful 2024 pairing, with rising Italian talent Lorenzo Patrese completing the trio for the Michelin Endurance Cup rounds. For the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, the lineup will be further strengthened by the addition of Thierry Vermeulen, who joins the three-driver squad for the season-opening endurance classic.

Franco is entering his third full IMSA GTD season with Conquest Racing, building on five podiums and one victory over the past two years. With momentum on their side, he looks ahead to a year of growth and renewed ambition alongside both a familiar teammate and a highly promising addition.

“We have continued to make very good progress and we have achieved a lot each season,” said Manny Franco. “This next year feels like the moment where everything comes together. Albert and I built great chemistry when we raced together before, and having him back is great for everyone. Now we also have Lorenzo coming on board, which makes for a really exciting lineup. The team has worked incredibly hard to put us in a position to fight at the front, and I’m more motivated than ever to deliver results. I can’t wait to get started again at Daytona.”

Costa Balboa returns to Conquest Racing after a standout GTD season in 2024 that featured podiums at the Rolex 24 at Daytona and Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen, followed by a commanding victory at Motul Petit Le Mans. In 2025, he transitioned to GTD PRO competition with Ferrari machinery, where he earned five podiums, one win, and finished runner-up in the championship.

“I’m very happy to be joining Conquest Racing again,” Albert Costa Balboa expressed. “It really feels like coming home. Conquest is the team that gave me my first chance in America and helped me start my career in the United States, so returning to this group means a lot to me.”

“Our first season together in 2024 was strong,” he continued. “We finished fourth in the championship, but now it’s time to finish the job. As a team, as a driver, and as Manny’s teammate, we have everything we need: the tools, the experience, the car, the tracks. We’ve both grown a lot as competitors since we last raced together, and now it’s about putting all of that in the same direction and fighting for the championship. That’s the goal. I’m very happy to be back, and I’m looking forward to starting this mega year in Daytona.”

Patrese joins the program after accumulating numerous podiums and victories in European GT3 competition in recent years. He has amassed podiums and victories at some of the most coveted circuits in Europe, including Spa-Francorchamps, the Nürburgring, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Brands Hatch, and the Hockenheimring, among others. In 2025, he made his debut in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, which notably saw him score a GTD pole position at Road Atlanta to close out the season, an indicator of the speed he will bring to the 2026 effort.

“Getting to race with Conquest alongside Manny and Albert is a fantastic opportunity,” echoed Lorenzo Patrese. “I think we have a great chance ahead of us. I want to thank the team and everyone involved for making this come together. We have a very strong lineup, both in terms of drivers and the team, and I believe we can fight for something big. I’m truly excited and I can’t wait to start the season in Daytona.”

Thierry Vermeulen arrives in Daytona with an accomplished international racing résumé, having firmly established himself among Europe’s standout GT competitors. The Dutch driver is a race winner and consistent front-runner in DTM, where he competes on a Ferrari 296 GT3 as part of Ferrari’s factory-supported program. Vermeulen has also delivered strong performances in GT World Challenge Europe and major endurance events.

“I am beyond excited to make my debut in the USA at the legendary 24 Hours of Daytona,” expressed Thierry Vermeulen. “ It’s been a dream of mine for a very long time, and to do it with Conquest Racing is truly special. I’m extremely grateful for the trust they’ve placed in me. We have a fantastic driver lineup: Albert Costa, whom I’ve raced with before and am excited to share the car with again, and Lorenzo Patrese, with whom I’ve also competed in the past. A huge thank you as well to Manny Franco for believing in me and welcoming me into the team for this very special event. I’ll be preparing extremely hard to get up to speed as quickly as possible with the team, and I can’t wait to hit the track.”

Team Owner Eric Bachelart expressed great confidence in the group’s potential for the upcoming season.

“We are extremely proud of the lineup we’ve assembled for 2026,” stated Team Owner Eric Bachelart. “Manny continues to grow into one of the most consistent and determined drivers in the GTD field. Bringing Albert back into the fold adds valuable experience and a proven winning mindset, while Lorenzo and Thierry represent the next wave of standout international talent. Alongside this exceptional group of drivers, we have also strengthened our engineering department with Riccardo Zani and Juli Mundet, creating a truly cohesive and highly capable technical team. Together, our entire team is focused on building a championship-caliber program, and we look forward to starting the season strong at Daytona.”