The new partnership between Porsche and Iron Dames seeks to rewrite the script for women in a sport long dominated by men.
The Iron Dames squad will compete across four major racing series at the helm of Porsche 911 GT3 R machines.
These include the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), the European and Asian Le Mans Series, and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in the United States.
The esteemed drivers chosen are Michelle Gatting (Denmark), Rahel Frey (Switzerland), Sarah Bovy (Belgium), and Célia Martin (France).
For the WEC, Gatting, Frey, and Martin will handle the controls of a striking pink Porsche in the LMGT3 class, prepared by Manthey Racing. Proton Competition, another celebrated name in endurance racing, will manage operations in the other three series.
This partnership also extends to nurturing young female drivers, tying together Porsche’s Junior Program with the newly established “Iron Dames Young Talents” initiative.
Porsche’s Vice President of Motorsport, Thomas Laudenbach, put it succinctly: “We value equal opportunities and diversity, and we’ve seen the structure and success of the Iron Dames project. This collaboration is the next logical step, and we’re confident it will yield outstanding results, on and off the track.”
The Iron Dames’ success story is already being written. Their 2023 triumph in Bahrain saw Gatting, Frey, and Bovy become the first all-female team to secure a class win in the World Endurance Championship. And just last season, they claimed victory in the LMGT3 class during the European Le Mans Series in Imola.
Founder Deborah Mayer encapsulates the spirit of this movement: “The Iron Dames project is about more than just competition. It’s about proving that motorsport is open to everyone with passion and determination. This partnership with Porsche amplifies that message.”
The collaboration has plans well into 2025 and beyond, with aspirations to push boundaries and inspire the next generation of women racers.
Alongside endurance racing, the Iron Dames are expanding their repertoire, as evidenced by Marta García’s recent test drive of the Porsche 99X Electric Formula E car.
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