The car is built in accordance with the Automobile Club de l'Ouest/FIA LM GTE regulations introduced for the 2016 season, and it formerly competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship, European Le Mans Series and in the GTLM class of the IMSA SportsCar Championship.

[3] The car had its race debut at the 2016 24 Hours of Daytona, with the Scuderia Corsa and Risi Competizione teams.

[7] At the launch, few details of the car were shared, with the engine carrying over from the 488 GTB being the main announcement.

[9] On 13 November 2017, Ferrari Competizioni GT technical coordinator Ferdinando Cannizzo confirmed that both the 488 GTE and GT3 would be receiving Evo kits, aimed at improving reliability, as well as aero performance optimization.

[11] Following a wind tunnel test at the WindShear facility, the 488 GTE Evo had its front dive-planes removed.