WEC | Imola, Vernay charges Isotta: “We must do better than Qatar”

There is less than a month to go until the second round of the FIA ​​World Endurance Championship and Isotta Fraschini has every intention of making a good impression on home soil.

In fact, the 6h will be held in Imola on 19-21 April in which the Type 6 LMH-C prepared by Team Duqueine is called to a good test, considering that the Santerno track was also the scene of the development tests of the Hypercar built by men by Michelotto Engineering.

For the drivers of car #11 it will not be an easy challenge, especially for Carl Bennett and Antonio Serravalle, who still need time behind the wheel of the hybrid prototype after their debut in Qatar did not last long.

So for their team leader, Jean-Karl Vernay, another weekend as Captain awaits, ready to take not only his teammates by the hand, but also the entire team in facing another difficult battle on the track.

“It will certainly be a very demanding challenge, especially for us who are an Italian team. The track itself is really tough, being very narrow I expect a very close fight and it will be very challenging to manage the traffic”, explains the Frenchman speaking to the championship website.

'JK-San' has already raced at Imola in the past also with Touring cars and knows very well the nature of an 'old-style' track which does not forgive mistakes and requires excellent aerodynamic-mechanical functioning of the cars.

For the entire Isotta Fraschini Duqueine team it is then the opportunity to show a step forward after Lusail's difficult debut, in a starting grid where the Tipo 6 is the classic 'David' who has to deal with the 'Goliaths' of Hypercar class.

“In Imola there are beautiful curves like the 'Acque Minerali' and for us it will be nice to be able to show our potential after what we learned in Qatar.”

“Our goal is to do much better than Lusail, both in Qualifying and in the race.”

“We'll see how it goes, but I think our car will be able to go well on curbs, through fast chicanes and fast corners.”

#11 Isotta Fraschini Isotta Fraschini Type6-C: Jean-Karl Vernay

Photo by: JEP / Motorsport Images

The Santerno circuit is also known for not being the easiest to navigate when there are so many cars in action and with the 37 registered it will become essential to manage the lapping phases well.

“What will be important is aggression in traffic, we will have to try not to waste time without taking risks.”

“I think going off line will be difficult with all the LMGT3s present, but I think it will be a lot of fun and I can't wait to get started!”, concludes Vernay.