Jean-Karl Vernay, Isotta Fraschini driver, expressed the strong determination and motivation of the team to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Despite being a small manufacturer and team, they are highly motivated to achieve success. Vernay shared these thoughts during the pre-race press conference before the 6 Hours of Imola.
Isotta Fraschini made their WEC debut this year at the Qatar 1812km, marking their return to motorsport after several decades. Although they faced a suspension issue and were unable to finish the race, the team was satisfied with their performance and the valuable data collected during five hours of racing.
Looking ahead, Isotta Fraschini aims to improve their position in the field. However, Vernay acknowledged the challenges they face, competing against larger companies and top drivers. He expressed his enthusiasm for being part of the championship and emphasized the need for hard work to be competitive.
Regarding the upcoming race in Imola, Vernay agreed with other drivers that it will be a demanding challenge. He commented on the difficulty of the track and the importance of managing traffic effectively. Despite these challenges, he expressed confidence in the team’s progress, noting that their pace in the first session was better than in Qatar. He concluded by highlighting the need to continue working with his teammates to prepare for the race.
In the first practice session, Isotta Fraschini finished in 11th place, with Vernay setting the team’s fastest lap. However, as the pace increased in the second practice session, they found themselves 3.119 seconds off the leading pace, with Vernay once again setting the team’s fastest lap.
The Imola 6 Hours will take place on Sunday, April 21, starting at 1:00 PM local time. The qualifying for the race will happen today, April 20, at 2:45 PM.