Isotta Fraschini must be patient

Isotta Fraschini Milano will therefore not be in WEC this season. The presence of the Italian manufacturer as well as that of Vanwall Racing on the full grid of the next World ChampionshipEndurance of the FIA ​​was the main question surrounding the first entry list published this Wednesday January 11.

« The disappointment is great, we cannot deny it, admits Claudio Berro, the general director of motorsport at Isotta Fraschini Milano, but the decision of the WEC selection committee will stimulate us even MORE to demonstrate our technical capabilities. The plans do not change, we will continue to test and develop the Tipo 6 LMH-C together with the Vector Sport team and then submit the homologation on time. »

The #FIAWEC selection committee's decided not to authorize #IsottaFraschini participation in the 2023 Hypercar Constructors' World Championship.

The development plan for the Tipo 6 LMH-C will continue as scheduled.
_____________________#IFMcars #TheFastestLuxury #FIAWEC2023 pic.twitter.com/BECW9kCaPu

— Isotta Fraschini Milano Fabbrica Automobili (@IFautomobili) January 11, 2023

Such a decision is far from surprising. The Italian manufacturer has expressed its interest in participating in the WEC and 24 Hours of Le Mans last October and received his carbon monocoque only at the very beginning of this year, a short week before the selection committee's decision.

While the other newcomers continued their testing sessions in Europe or elsewhere, it was difficult to imagine a car that didn't even have a single kilometer on the odometer getting a place on the grid full-time.

The Lombard brand will now be able to concentrate on the development of this new LMH in partnership with the British team Vector Sport. Gary Holland even hopes to be able to compete later in the season, as Peugeot was able to do it in 2022.

Vector Sport continues in LM P2

« We are obviously a little disappointed not to secure a place on the grid for the full season, but we now have more time to fully enter the testing and development phase for the new Tipo 6 LMH Competizione, explains Gary Holland, Vector Sport team principal. Following the example of other manufacturers of the recent past, we will aim to enter the car race by race later in the season, if this is accepted by the FIA ​​and WEC. »

While waiting to be able to enter Hypercar with Isotta Fraschini Milano, Vector Sport will begin its second season in the LM P2 category of the WEC in 1000 Miles of Sebring (March 17). “ We are delighted to learn that Vector Sport has secured a place on the LM P2 grid, adds Gary Holland. The field is once again incredibly competitive, but we are confident that with the lessons learned and experience gained in 2022, we will be in a strong position to challenge for race victories this season. We have a strong package in place, a great team of people with relevant expertise, and we know exactly what we need to do to win. »

In 2022, the British team scored a category podium at the 6 Hours of Monza (3rd) with Sébastien Bourdais, Nico Mueller and Ryan Cullen. The latter is the only driver currently confirmed for the 2023 season.

The other two being engaged with manufacturers in the higher category (Bourdais with Cadillac, Mueller with Peugeot), Vector Sport will probably have to find new names to accompany the Irish-Cypriot.

Replacing Mueller on the last two rounds of last season (Fuji and Bahrain), Renger van der Zande was also requisitioned by Cadillac for theIMSA for 2023.

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