Gatting-Frey with Martin in WEC Porsche 911 LMGT3

WECLMGT3

Nov 21

The Iron Dames will continue in the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) into the 2025 season, with the world’s leading Porsche racing teams Manthey.

📷 © Luc Warnotte. Above: Iron Dames in 2024 ELMS season with Proton Porsche 911 GT3 R. Bottom: Iron Dames in 2024 FIA WEC at Qatar.

Building on their historic achievements with Porsche in 2023, including victory in the final-ever LMGTE race in Bahrain, the Iron Dames will take to the track with renewed ambition and an unprecedented lineup blending experience and emerging talent, as the only 100% female team on the grid.

Collaboration with seven FIA WEC titles Manthey.

For the first time, the Iron Dames will race under the expert guidance of Manthey, one of the most successful and respected teams in endurance racing. The team has over 25 years at the forefront of motorsport and an impressive record contributing to Porsche’s GT achievements, including seven overall victories at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, multiple class wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and seven FIA WEC titles. Known for their commitment to precision and excellence, Manthey brings invaluable expertise to the team. Building on this winning formula, the Iron Dames aim to elevate their competitive edge, uniting a shared passion for excellence, teamwork, and precision.

A New Lineup

The Iron Dames’ 2025 lineup reflects the team’s commitment to both experience and new talent. Returning to the driver lineup are seasoned racers Michelle Gatting from Denmark and Switzerland’s Rahel Frey, whose skill and resilience have been instrumental in the team’s prior successes. They will be joined by French racer Celia Martin, a fresh face to the team and a rising star in endurance racing off the back of a successful debut season in the Michelin Le Mans Cup, whose passion and talent bring a new edge to the Iron Dames. This powerful trio, representing both experience and innovation, aims to make new waves in the championship in the Porsche 911 GT3 R, prepared by Manthey for world-class performance in the most demanding endurance races.

📷 © Luc Warnotte in 2024 ELMS with Porsche 911 GT3 R at Barcelona, Mugello, Le Castellet and Spa-Francorchamps.

Michelle Gatting: “I am super happy to be back in FIA WEC next year and to be competing in my seventh 24 Hours of Le Mans. Besides that, we will be back with Porsche in without doubt the most well-known and respected team in the paddock – Manthey. It is a huge step for the Iron Dames project, and I cannot wait to see what we can do all together. Going with Rahel into our seventh season together, I hope that we can achieve some great results together. With Celia now joining as our new Bronze-graded driver, I have no doubt that she will do very well. We will try to prepare her as much as possible during the winter in the Asian Le Mans Series."

Rahel Frey: “I’m thrilled to be staying with the Iron Dames FIA WEC Team for 2025 with the renowned championship-winning team Manthey. Their enormous experience will take us to the next level and it will be great to be driving the Porsche #85 again at the highest level. We have already started working together and it feels great as the team has welcomed us with joy. I also welcome Celia as the new Bronze-graded driver in our FIA WEC driver line-up. I'm excited to see what step she can take after just one year in the Michelin Le Mans Cup. Let’s get it started!”

Celia Martin: “When I started my journey in motorsport, I always hoped that one day I could compete in top-level GT and endurance racing. If you had asked me for the ultimate dream, it would be this – FIA WEC, Iron Dames and to top it off with Manthey as well. It really is a dream come true. I can’t thank Iron Dames enough for this opportunity and can’t wait for the season to start.” Source: Iron Dames

Iron Dames Highlights

Iron Dames is the first all-female team to secure an FIA WEC victory and the first to finish runner-up in the championship in 2023. To date, the Iron Dames have completed 27 FIA WEC races, securing seven pole positions and five podium finishes. Each season has brought new achievements, underscoring the team's determination and unwavering pursuit of progress for women in motorsport.