Isotta Fraschini,
Welcome Back!
My first time at the WEC in Monza brings me surprises and emotions that I never thought I would experience, among them is meeting Claudio Berro, a legendary figure in motorsport now involved in the Tipo 6 LMH-C project that will see its debut in 2024.
The watchful, attentive gaze behind his sunglasses recalls the Drake’s tyrannical gaze. After all, it can only be that way, one can tell. As captain of the luxurious Milanese house, he never takes his eyes off the details, those surrounding the car, those who lay their eyes, like me, to browse and study this jewel of technology.
©sconosciuto
In front of me the Isotta Tipo 6: A blue one dedicated to customers who want to taste the DNA and heart of this car designed to excite with its racing performance, every detail is taken care of to leave no room for doubt as to the identity of its big sister, the one that will have the task of undermining, stinging, flying and catching the winds of its rivals to get back to where it deserves to be: The LMH-C – the one that will face the 2024 WEC – in white-red-blue coloring. Twin, indeed, in everything. The Brianza circuit gave the cars a chance to take to the track on Saturday and Sunday for a new test session in the temple of speed in the company of the Spirit of Le Mans. A taste for everyone, customers and non-customers alike.
And that’s how Claudio Berro gives me the honor of a brief interview to find out more about this luxurious project returning to the racing world.
Claudio Berro, when did the idea of returning to the racing world come about?
It was born 3 years ago with Michelotto along with the idea of creating a road car. We sought out and hired the best technicians from various teams: from Williams to AMG, to give you an idea. The best available on the market. The project was born from scratch in the workshops in Padua, we have many partners with whom we collaborate, among them is Bosch ( to name one ed ) and we are very satisfied with the work done so far.
Claudio his arrival in late 2022 to kick off this new challenge
When I arrived there were vare acquisitions of the brand. We were aiming for a road car for niche customers, various vicissitudes led us to lose sight of that goal, and that’s how the idea of the racing world was born.
In the various processes there was a desire to participate in the 2023 WEC championship, but FIA and ACO homologations are complex, more time was needed, and so we decided to focus our efforts on the development of the car. An important full immersion on the part of everyone, including suppliers, as the pace is tight and the clock is ticking. We are always in contact with FIA/ACO for homologation, we want to get the car ready to its fullest expression, and when we are done with technical updates and whatnot we will have a stop phase. Each update brings new ideas, ideas bring details, changes, etc. etc.
A choice shared by the FIA/ACO?
Yes. Even though we have a second car to work on. But understand that we can’t keep making updates, always have new ideas and never draw a line. At a certain point we have to stop and give everyone a breather so that FIA/ACO can take the car to the wind tunnel and record the data, do all the necessary operations to have homologation for the championship and be ready for the 2024 championship.
There are more tests scheduled with a 95% car. Can we say that you are always in pole position?
I would say yes. But the focus is still all on testing, we don’t want to force our hand, we are on schedule. At the end of the month we will be in Vallelunga, an important test to grind more kilometers, collect data, feedback from our riders. Then again Monza and finally Mugello. We are planning a night test in Aragon, but it is an idea. Nothing more.
©sconosciuto
July 2023, July 2024. What outcome do you expect 1 year from now?
Good question. Unfortunately, not Monza but Imola and that’s a little bit sorry…We aim to be in the fight with the 20 Hypercars that will be at the start next year, we want to be protagonists but without being cocky. To win first is a dream, it would be great, but we have to stay focused without forcing our hand and putting additional pressure on the team. Let’s start being competitive, victory will come.
Thank you Claudio for this opportunity.
In short, the Wec is also this. Presentations, tests, races. A mix of excellence, like Isotta Fraschini entering with elegance, on tiptoe and with great style, the one that has always distinguished it. An all-Milanese gem returning to the racing world, making Milan and, why not, all of red-skinned Italy dream.
Motorsport is beautiful.
The FIA WEC weekend in Monza was a blast for Isotta Fraschini Milano, here is a quick recap of all the great emotions that characterized it.
_____#IsottaFraschini #Tipo6LMH #hypercar #TheFastestLuxury #LMH #LeMansHypercar #WEC #FIAWEC #Monza #6HMonza @FIAWEC @Autodromo_Monza… pic.twitter.com/PsczlvqzxM— Isotta Fraschini Milano (@IF_Milano) July 9, 2023
