Isotta Fraschini Duqueine Completes Two-Day Estoril Test

Isotta Fraschini has completed a two-day test at Estoril with its new FIA World Endurance Championship challenger with new partner squad Duqueine Engineering.

The boutique Italian manufacturer announced late last month its plans to team up with European Le Mans Series outfit Duqueine, ending its previous partnership with WEC LMP2 squad Vector Sport.

This week’s Estoril test marked the first time Duqueine had run the Tipo 6 LMH Competizione that is set to contest the Hypercar class of the WEC in 2024, with the team now running under the ‘Isotta Fraschini Duqueine’ banner.

More than 1,200km was completed over the course of the two days by development driver Jean-Karl Vernay and new Isotta signing Alex Garcia, who sampled the car for the first time in Portugal, with a focus on race pace.

“I am super happy since testing this car was Christmas coming early!” commented Mexican driver Garcia, who won this year’s ELMS title in the LMP3 class.

“My first reaction to seeing it in person was like a dream coming true, and driving this car with all the technology involved is something else.

“We did a lot of laps to get used to it and all the systems, but all ran smoothly. Every lap I drove, I learned more and more about the car. I’m super happy Isotta Fraschini allowed me to try the car and race with them, and I can’t thank them enough!

“I can’t wait to race this car in Qatar. Meanwhile, we’ll be pushing and working to get as much prepared as possible.”

Isotta Fraschini motorsport manager Claudio Berro added: “I am very satisfied with the first test done by the Isotta Fraschini Duqueine team. It was also Alex Garcia’s first time driving a hypercar and he behaved very professionally, assisted by Jean-Karl Vernay.

“The two Portuguese days saw several long runs in which the car performed perfectly, which allowed us to collect a lot of information on the tires and on the set-up and aerodynamic settings.”

Isotta Fraschini is set to make its WEC debut in the season-opening Qatar 1812km on March 2.