IRON DAMES Exit WEC Grid as Porsche 963 Era Ends for 2026 Season

December 4, 2025

• The WEC 2026 grid confirmation brings disappointing news for women’s racing as the IRON DAMES partnership with Team Manthey comes to an end, marking another setback for female representation in top-tier endurance racing. The all-female squad that brought crucial visibility to women in motorsports will no longer have their LMGT3 platform.
• The broader grid shake-up sees Porsche 963s completely eliminated from WEC competition, with Proton Competition unable to secure the two-car minimum despite owner Christian Ried’s determined efforts. This corporate decision-making prioritized brand strategy over racing opportunity, effectively shutting out privateer efforts that could have maintained Porsche’s presence.
• With only 35 entries confirmed for 2026 (down from 36), the series moves toward manufacturer dominance while squeezing out the privateer teams that often provided opportunities for emerging talent. The loss of both Iron Dames and Racing Spirit of Léman in LMGT3 represents fewer pathways for diverse driver lineups to reach the top levels of endurance racing.

fia wec, lmgt3, porsche, team manthey