The news that the Isotta Fraschini Hypercar programme was being revived with a new partnership including a technical and logistical collaboration with High Class Racing came as a real surprise a few weeks ago.
And the cars’ designers Michelotto are not standing on ceremony in pushing forward.
They released pictures of a shakedown with the car, unraced since 2024, just two weeks ago, plus a subsequent test at Vallelunga with the car in the hands of Gianmaria Bruni (Pic below and bottom).
Today and tomorrow the team are involved in a full test, the car run by locally-based High Class, at the Circuit de Catalunya Barcelona.
The test is part of a programme to continue development of the car, still operating under its 2024 homologation, and to assess a number of professional drivers that would be required alongside a mandatory Bronze if the outfit is to be successful in posting an entry in the 2026/ 2027 Asian Le Mans Series.
DSC believes the roster for this test is 2026 ELMS LMP2 drivers Theodor Jensen and Roy Nissany plus High Class Racing team principal and current ELMS LMGT3 racer Anders Fjordbach.
The formalisation of a package has been made a tad more difficult with the delays to confirmation of a calendar in light of the ongoing unrest in the Middle East.
The Asian LMS though now appear to be close to confirming ‘Plan C’! A single race weekend in southern Europe this year, and two double headers in South East Asia, at Sepang, Malaysia and thereafter likely Chang Circuit, Buriram, Thailand.
That’s some much needed good news for the Isotta Fraschini effort as it means that meaningful programme costs and driver budgets can now be finalised. Programme consultant Jean-Karl Vernay confirmed to DSC today that the effort is targeting an entry but with a lot of work to do before the programme can be confirmed:
“We would have to race with the 2024 homologation, and we have plenty of things to address, understand and improve. What I will say though, and this was obvious towards the end of our WEC programme with the car, is that Michelotto did a great job with the design of the Isotta Fraschini. There is plenty of potential to unlock here.
“If we can race in the Series, we will do so with humility. The Ferrari and the Peugeot were developed by factories with big budgets. But I believe we can be competitive as we move forward and understand the car.”
Vallelunga pics: Michelotto/ Ivan Caravana
