Tragedy for the Isotta Gang - IF withdraws from the WEC

Rest in Peace to the Isotta Fraschini LMH - we hardly knew ye'.

News has dropped today out of the WEC, as multiple racing outlets (those with way more sources than I have) have reported that Isotta Fraschini - the manufacturer responsible for developing the Tipo 6C LMH prototype - has pulled the plug on their racing program, effective immediately. And yes by 'effective immediately' they mean 'will-not-race in the upcoming Lone Star Le Mans in just 10 days time.'

According to those same reports, the bulk of the IF team is currently in Austin at COTA prepping for the race, so to have this news drop on them just has to be an atomic kick in the balls, a real Italian screw job. The belief is that IF is restructuring their entire motorsports division, and funding for the Hypercar program just isn't in the plans.  

The Tipo 6 scored points strictly in the spirit and character departments this season (I mean who needs actual points in the table, anyway?) Quite easily their most rewarding result was crossing the finish line at Le Mans, as the car completed the full 24-hour drive and finished P14 overall. They saw a P17 finish at Imola, a P15 finish at Spa and a pair of retirements in Qatar and Brasil. 

There's a decent amount to unpack here, especially with the how's, why's and what's in regards to the WEC and the now defunct IF program. For starters, it was always going to be an uphill battle for IF to compete in the top tier of endurance racing going up against factory programs like Toyota, Ferrari, Porsche, etc. In just two seasons the grid has exploded in the commitment from factory outfits, and with the WEC-mandated requirement for all manufacturers to field a minimum of two cars starting in 2025, as well as the introduction of the Aston Martin Valkyrie AND Lamborghini likely committing to a second SC63 (I mean, they have to) - major questions about the future of endurance racing have been answered before we even get there. If IF were teetering on the line while fielding one car, it was extraordinarily unlikely they could figure out how to put a second on the grid next season.

It's ironic, as in the past teams and customer outfits would fold due to the usual pressures of financial problems, and in the case of IF biting the dust, they definitely rain into that issue. However, there is the added layer that the 2025 grid is going to be the strongest in the history of the sport. In the blink of an eye we have nine of the world's top automotive brands all committed to the Hypercar class. Where factory and customer teams would fade away due to the lack of support and future assurances, teams are now being squeezed out because the big boys have all carved out their piece of the pie and planted their flag in the pavement looking to capture a world championship. 

With IF now out of the picture, it remains to be seen what comes of the other customer-backed cars currently on the grid - the No. 99 Proton 963 and the No. 83 AF Corse 499P. Those cars can certainly slot in as the last two entries to reach the capacity 20-car grid that the WEC is aiming for in 2025, but will that be it for customer-backed racing in the class? It's a numbers game and that answer seems pretty clear at this point. 

In closing, Arrivederci Isotta, ta ta for now. 

(Source Credit - racer.com, Sportscar365.com)

(Photo credit - Wikipedia)