Isotta Fraschini the “Only Way” Into WEC For New Teams

Isotta Fraschini motorsport manager Claudio Berro says that joining forces with the boutique Italian manufacturer is now the only viable way for a new team to get involved in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2025.

Berro made the remarks following the news that the WEC will mandate that each Hypercar manufacturer fields at least two cars next season, a ruling that directly impacts Cadillac and Lamborghini as well as Isotta of the current top-flight entrants.

A solo Isotta Fraschini Tipo 6 Competizione run by Duqueine currently competes in the WEC, but Berro says it is undecided whether the French squad will expand to a second car next year or a new team will be brought in to operate the additional entry.

However, with the FIA and ACO now mandating two cars per manufacturer, Berro is viewing it as an opportunity, highlighting the fact that the other manufacturers – including 2025 newcomer Aston Martin – already have partner teams in place.

“I am happy for this plan,” Berro told Sportscar365. “It was our expectation. Now we have to prepare to run two cars together with some team.

“The target for the FIA and ACO is clear, it’s to have 10 manufacturers with two cars.

“We have an open discussion with Duqueine. But we also have some requests from some important teams.

“Some teams would like to compete in the WEC, and running our car is the only way. All other manufacturers are allocated with strong teams, but at this moment we are only committed to running one team with one car.

“It’s clear there are some strong teams who would like to race here, and we are in discussions.”

WEC CEO Frederic Lequien clarified to Sportscar365 upon the reveal of the two-car mandate that there is no obligation for a manufacturer’s two cars to be operated by the same team.

Isotta had tentative plans to run two cars in the WEC this year, with the second to be run by Vector Sport, before it became clear it would only be granted a single entry.

Berro says he is not concerned about Isotta’s ability to run two cars on a technical level, but admits that the operational side is a bigger challenge.

“It’s clear that for two cars, full championship, you need a strong operation,” he said. “It’s a big challenge from a financial point of view, and also in terms of organization.

“On the technical side, we are strong with [partner] Michelotto Engineering, there is no problem to manage two cars. The operational side is more complex.”

Berro added that Isotta is pleased that the WEC resisted calls to add a ninth race to the schedule, praising the consistent calendar from a cost point of view.

“We are happy to have eight races in the championship to keep costs under control,” said Berro. “And we will work hard. But it’s a very interesting announcement.”