Reigning European Le Mans Series LMP3 champion Alex Garcia described his first impression of the Isotta Fraschini Tipo 6 LMH-C “like a dream come true” at the Circuit de Estoril, Portugal.
The 20-year-old is set to be the youngest driver competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar category in 2024.
He previously drove a dominant 2023 endurance campaign in Cool Racing’s Ligier JS P320, claiming three wins in the ELMS with teammates Adrien Chila and Marcos Siebert.
Earlier this week, Isotta Fraschini tested at Estoril over the course of two days with Garcia and fellow Hypercar driver Jean-Karl Vernay.
After turning his first laps in the Tipo 6 Competizione, Garcia said: “I am super happy, since testing this car was Christmas coming early.
“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.”
Estoril prosed clear and dry weather conditions as the team’s focus was on longer runs, retrieving data about the tyres, mechanical and aerodynamic setup in the process – the latter of which has been designed by Williams Advanced Engineering.
The Tipo 6 uses a HWA 3.0L V6 single turbocharged engine, mated to an electric MGU mounted to the front axle combining up to 700 hp relative to the Balance of Performance measures.
He participated in the ELMS Rookie Test after the season finale, in which he drew his first laps in the #30 Duqueine Oreca 07 LMP2 car.
For next year, he will complete the remainder of his Asian Le Mans Series LMP2 efforts with Nielsen Racing, before combining a full-season ELMS LMP2 campaign with Cool Racing and his Isotta Fraschini WEC duties.
Duqueine announced their partnership with the bespoke automotive manufacturer on their maiden WEC season, which will see them debuting alongside Alpine and Lamborghini.
With nine Hypercar manufacturers set to be represented in the 2024 WEC, Isotta Fraschini will field a single-entry for the full season.
It will be Garcia’s first time competing with a top-level endurance prototype, making the move from LMP3 to Hypercar, as it will also grant him his debut at the 92nd running of the historic 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The team will continue testing prior to the pre-season ‘Prologue’ testing at Qatar on 24-25 February, before the 1812 km opener on 2 March.
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