Ferrari team Maranello Motorsport claimed what was its second Bathurst 12-hour victory earlier this year, with a Ferrari 488 GT3 driven Australian stars Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup and European factory Ferrari driver Toni Vilander.

They scored the win after triumphing in a late-race battle with Shane van Gisbergen’s Mercedes, which ultimately didn't make the 12 hours after van Gisbergen crashed on the run to Forrest’s Elbow.

Maranello Motorsport chief Mark Coffey said the team was looking forward to returning to Mount Panorama to defend their crown.

“We have supported the Bathurst 12 Hour every year since it became a GT race and we’re already working on our plans to come back next year,” he said.

“Things didn’t go to plan when we tried to defend our 2014 win so we want to come back next year and see if we can go back-to-back, which has only been achieved once before in the GT era.

“The Bathurst 12 Hour has become a ‘must win’ race on the GT schedule and we’re proud to represent Ferrari every year. It is our intention to do so again in 2018.”

The Australian sports car event is growing in stature as a world-renowned event and once again a large contingent of international teams and drivers are expected to nominate for the 2018 race, to be held on February 4.