Isotta Fraschini’s FIA WEC Hypercar programme came seemingly out of nowhere. Back in May of 2022 DSC sources suggested that the revived Italian luxury marque was looking at entering the FIA WEC’s Hypercar ranks with its own LMH-spec car.
DSC’s original story received its fair share of scepticism, with many filing it under “not going to happen”. But to Isotta’s credit, with partners Michelotto and Vector Sport Duqueine Engineering it did design, develop, test and race a hybrid-powered LMH-spec car in the FIA WEC this season.
The car itself, upon closer inspection, was well-produced and put together. Crucially, while it lacked outright speed it was pretty reliable too and in certain conditions with the right driver behind the wheel, showed flashes of pace.
Ultimately this was a story of what could have been though, much like the Ginetta LMP1 project. Had the Tipo 6 had more resources poured into it and a set of experienced factory drivers to help steer its development, it may have gone on to achieve standout results.
But, with Claudio Berro leaving his role as CEO, the relationship with Duqueine fractured by mid-season and the financial side of the programme proving too tough to prop up, the plug was pulled after the race in Brazil.
There was a brief period where it appeared that Duqueine and Isotta were pushing to run a second car in 2025 to meet the ‘two-car’ requirement, but as it turned out, even getting one car to the end of the 2024 season was a struggle.
DSC believes that behind the scenes, Michelotto – which designed the car – had been working hard to save the programme while Isotta restructured its motorsports business. It had been attempting to sell the car’s design to prospective manufacturers looking to join Hypercar in the future, without success.
The racing career of the Tipo-6 Competizione numbered just five races, all in the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship.
The team managed three finishes, the best of which was at Le Mans where the car came home 14th overall and just a single position outside the Manufacturers World Championship points.
Whilst it’s disappointing that it has left the racing arena, the story is far from over, with the road car (and track car) side of the business still moving forward.
An #IsottaFraschini for #EmersonFittipaldi.
The legendary Brazilian, who has won two F1 world championships and two Indianapolis 500s, has bought a #Tipo6Pista #hypercar for #TrackDays.
_____#TheFastestLuxury #NoTwoALike pic.twitter.com/sZlUQTl2jo— Isotta Fraschini Milano Fabbrica Automobili (@IFautomobili) December 13, 2024
For instance, news came earlier this month that Formula One World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi has purchased a Tipo-6 Pista.
It’s just a shame we’re not going to see the LMH back racing next year…
