Isotta Fraschini retires from WEC

The Italian manufacturer Isotta Fraschini has decided to withdraw immediately from the World Endurance Championship (WEC), reducing the number of competitors in the Hypercar class for the final three rounds of the 2024 season. This decision stems from internal conflicts with the Duqueine team, which was responsible for managing Isotta's sole Tipo 6-Competizione vehicle. The lack of on-track testing and other disagreements led Isotta to end its endurance program and focus its resources on other projects, including the production of both track and road cars.

In its debut season in the WEC, Isotta Fraschini achieved a notable performance in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing in 14th place without any serious reliability issues. However, the lack of alignment with Duqueine and logistical challenges forced the brand to prematurely exit the championship. Miguel Valldecabres, Director of Motorsport and CEO of Isotta, stated that the decision, although difficult, was necessary to secure the brand's future in other markets.

This withdrawal leaves the Hypercar class grid with 18 cars for the rest of the year. Moreover, with the WEC regulations requiring manufacturers to enter two cars starting in 2025, Isotta's future in the series is uncertain unless a viable solution is found.

It is worth noting that Isotta Fraschini is not the only team to have faced these challenges in the Hypercar class. Glickenhaus, another notable participant, also withdrew from the WEC before the end of the 2023 season. Glickenhaus encountered financial difficulties and competition from larger manufacturers. Although they participated in the early races of the year, such as the 6 Hours of Monza, the team decided not to continue due to a lack of sponsorship and the growing difficulty of staying competitive in an environment dominated by large corporations.

Both withdrawals highlight the inherent challenges in the WEC series for smaller teams and raise questions about the long-term sustainability of these programs in such a competitive environment.

Isotta Fraschini expressed its gratitude to sponsors, drivers, partners, and fans for their support during this initial season and does not rule out a possible return to the WEC in the future.