UPDATE: Isotta Fraschini has now formally confirmed its withdrawal from the WEC with a statement released this evening.
It reads: “Isotta Fraschini Milano Fabbrica Automobili has announced its immediate withdrawal from the 2024 World Endurance Championship season as there are no longer any conditions to continue the partnership with the French team Duqueine.
“Following a productive debut season, highlighted by a successful finish at the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans, the car brand has decided to redirect its resources toward restructuring its motorsports program and expanding its track and road car initiatives.”
“Isotta Fraschini extends its heartfelt gratitude to sponsors, drivers, partners, and fans for their unwavering support throughout this inaugural season. The company also thanks the WEC and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) for their support and hopes for a possible return in the near future.”
Miguel Valldecabres, who took over as IFM CEO last month when Claudio Berro departed the company, added:
“We are immensely proud of our achievements in our debut season. Competing in the WEC has been an incredible honour and experience, with the 24 Hours of Le Mans being a particular highlight.
“This very difficult decision has not been made lightly, but it allows us to build on our successes, fostering the growth of our brand and the development of our products in both the racing and Hypercar markets.
“As a new manufacturer with great ambitions, not continuing in the WEC 2024 season is a strategic obligation to conserve our resources and ensure the continuity of our project.
“Despite this difficult setback, we are excited about the future. Our journey as a performance brand continues, and we are eager to achieve new milestones.”
Original story: DSC understands via multiple sources that Isotta Fraschini’s Tipo6-C LMH Hypercar has been withdrawn from the FIA WEC ahead of Lone Star Le Mans next week, with the revived Italian marque pulling its car from the forthcoming races at CoTA, Fuji and Bahrain.
This news comes just days before the WEC teams arrive in Texas for the sixth round of the 2024 season at CoTA in Austin, where the car is currently being shipped. Isotta pulling out means the entry list has been reduced to 36 cars for the race.
It also comes ahead of the two-car mandate for Hypercar manufacturers coming into force for 2025, which would require Isotta to scale up its programme to two cars via either a second factory car or a customer car.
DSC believes that behind the scenes, Michelotto – which designed the car – has been working hard to save the programme while Isotta restructures its motorsports business. It has been attempting to sell the car’s design to prospective manufacturers looking to join Hypercar in the future, so far without success.
The racing career of the Isotta Fraschini Tipo-6 Competizione then has 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 finished 14th overall and just a single position outside the Manufacturers World Championship points.
