In a surprising turn of events Isotta Fraschini has announced its immediate withdrawal from the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship season.
The decision by the revived Italian automaker comes just days before the WEC teams are set to compete at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, where the Isotta Fraschini Tipo6-C LMH Hypercar was scheduled to race.
The news, which has sent shockwaves through the motorsports community, was first reported by multiple sources and later confirmed by the outfit itself in an official statement.
Isotta Fraschini cited difficulties in its partnership with the French team Duqueine as one of the primary reasons for ending its debut season in the WEC prematurely.
The statement further elaborated on the company’s decision, highlighting the successful finish at the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans, where the Tipo6-C car finished 14th overall, just a single position outside the Manufacturers World Championship points.
“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,” said the team in a statement.
“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.”
Recently appointed Director of Motorsports and CEO of Isotta Fraschini Miguel Valldecabres expressed his pride in the team’s achievements during their debut season in endurance racing.
“We are immensely proud of our achievements in our debut season,” Valldecabres said. “Competing in the WEC has been an incredible honor 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 2024 WEC 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.”
The withdrawal means that the Isotta Fraschini Tipo6-C car will not compete in the remaining races of the 2024 WEC season, including the events at COTA, Fuji, and Bahrain, reducing the entry list to 36 cars.
Their hypercar – shared by Jean-Karl Vernay, Antonio Serravalle and Carl Bennetthas – has only entered five races, all in the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship and managed three finishes, with the best result being a P14 at Le Mans.
Behind the scenes, Michelotto, the company responsible for designing the car, has been working hard to save the program 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 future of the Isotta Fraschini sportscar effort is now in major doubt, as the team’s withdrawal comes ahead of the two-car mandate for Hypercar manufacturers coming into force for 2025. This mandate would have required them to scale up their program to two cars via either a second factory car or a customer car.
