Iron Dames and Porsche Motorsport Strengthen Ties in Women's Endurance Racing
Michelle Gatting, Rahel Frey, and Célia Martin will lead the driving team in the pink Porsche 911 GT3 R in the LMGT3 class of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Manthey Racing is tasked with the operations of the formidable 416 kW (565 PS) racing car equipped with a flat-six engine. This experienced customer team secured every title in the GT3 category's inaugural season in the WEC.
Proton Competition oversees operations across the Asian Le Mans Series, the European Le Mans Series, and the North American IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. As part of these efforts, Denmark's Michelle Gatting has been promoted to the Porsche contracted driver squad. The collaboration between Porsche Motorsport and Iron Dames is expected to extend for several years, tightly integrating with the German sports car manufacturer's renowned junior development programmes. The strategy aims to link national support programmes in the Porsche one-make cups with the central Junior Programme of Porsche Motorsport and the recently launched “Iron Dames Young Talents” initiative. This alignment ideally provides a trajectory for young talents from karting to the pinnacle of professional sport.
"Porsche is dedicated to a culture of equal opportunities and diversity. We highly value encouraging women to participate in motorsport and supporting them in open competition," remarks Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President of Porsche Motorsport. "After celebrating victories with the Iron Dames, advancing our partnership was the obvious next step. We are confident that our collaborative efforts in all series will produce excellent results and underscore our commitment to supporting female racers through victories and podium finishes."
Deborah Mayer, Founder of the Iron Dames Project, says, "It is an honour to collaborate with such a prestigious brand as Porsche Motorsport, which shares our goal of leaving a lasting legacy in motorsport while driving forward progress. The Iron Dames Project is powered by the strength of dreams to break down barriers. Our endeavour goes beyond mere competition; it’s about proving that the racing world is accessible to all who have passion and determination. By 2025, we aim to set new standards, empower women in endurance racing, support emerging female drivers, alter perceptions, and inspire future generations. The 'Porsche X Iron Dames' initiative not only revitalises women's roles in motorsport but also sends a potent message that every dream is worth pursuing, no matter how ambitious. I eagerly anticipate seeing Célia, Michelle, Rahel, and Sarah racing Porsche cars globally and witnessing the 'Every Dream Matters' movement flourish."
In recent milestones, Porsche customer teams have celebrated considerable success with the Iron Dames. In 2023, Gatting, Frey, and Bovy were the first all-female trio to win a class in the FIA World Endurance Championship at the season finale in Bahrain. Additionally, they claimed victory in the LMGT3 class at the 4-hour race of the European Le Mans Series in Imola, Italy. Last month, Marta García, a rising star from the Iron Dames' sponsorship programme, successfully tested the Porsche 99X Electric for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team. At only 24 years old, Marta epitomises the bright future of women in motorsport.
2025 Schedule Overview for the Iron Dames in the Porsche 911 GT3 R:
FIA World Endurance Championship WEC (LMGT3 class): Michelle Gatting (DK), Rahel Frey (CH), Célia Martin (F) – Team: Manthey
IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (GTD class): Michelle Gatting (DK), Rahel Frey (CH), Sarah Bovy (B), Karen Gaillard (CH, 24 Hours of Daytona) – Team: Proton Competition
European Le Mans Series (LMGT3 class): Michelle Gatting (DK), Sarah Bovy (B), Célia Martin (F) – Team: Proton Competition
Asian Le Mans Series (GT class): Michelle Gatting (DK), Sarah Bovy (B), Célia Martin (F) – Team: Proton Competition
