Vector Sport and Isotta Fraschini Milano have confirmed a Technical and Sporting collaborative agreement which includes an application for entry to the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) jointly as a “Factory Team” in the Hypercar class with the Isotta Fraschini Tipo 6 LMH car.
As trailed in DSC’s interview with Isotta Fraschini’s MD of motorsport Claudio Berro, the first Tipo C is now under construction at a dedicated facility at Michelotto.
The UK-based team made its debut in the World Endurance Championship in 2022 in the LMP2 category. The highlight was a podium finish at the 6 Hours of Monza, in only its fourth ever race, with a car driven by Sébastien Bourdais, Ryan Cullen and Nico Müller.
The Gary Holland-led team, although new to racing in 2022, brought together a team of racing personnel with a wealth of endurance experience in both prototype and GT classes in FA WEC, IMSA and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Claudio Berro, Motorsport Managing Director of Isotta Fraschini, said: “I am very happy to have shaken the hand of great motorsport enthusiasts like Team Principal Gary Holland and Commercial Director Adam Shore. The various possible partners we were in contact with were all of high quality, but it was important for us to quickly find a clear unity of purpose. Vector Sport’s experience in LMP2 during the 2022 season has been an important point, and we will be submitting applications for entry to the FIA WEC in the coming days.”
Gary Holland, Vector Sport Team Principal, added: “Vector Sport came into endurance racing with long term plans and ambitions and we are delighted to have reached this agreement with Isotta Fraschini after a thorough evaluation process as it matches exactly our goals.
“We know there is a steep learning curve ahead for all of us against some of the biggest names in racing, but our expectations are realistic and our combined passion to succeed unlimited. Isotta Fraschini has put together a formidable package of technical partners and, if granted an invitation to compete, I’m sure it won’t take too long for us to be at the sharp end of the grid.”
As confirmed by Claudio Berro to DSC earlier this month, the decision over a partner team came down to a decision between a UK team (now confirmed as Vector Sport) and a Swiss entity, understood by DSC to have been Emil Frey Racing.
Vector Sport’s partnership with Isotta Fraschini is understood to be a multi-year agreement encompassing race preparation (if and when selected), testing and development.
Isotta Fraschini have publicly stated that their target is to start a 2023 WEC campaign at the 6 Hours of Spa Francorchamps, ahead of a potential run at the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Vector Sport then join Peugeot Sport, Penske Motorsport (Porsche), Chip Ganassi Racing (Cadillac), AF Corse (Ferrari), and Joest Racing (Glickenhaus) with factory hypercar deals for the coming season, with Iron Lynx (Lamborghini), Signatech (Alpine) and WRT (BMW) all confirmed with deals for 2024. JOTA and Proton Competition are confirmed with plans for privateer Hypercar entries for 2023.
Applications for entry to the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship will be finalised in the coming days with Vector Sport also set to request a presence in LMP2.
