MICHELLE GATTING Recalls Tears of Joy at Le Mans Debut as Iron Dames Evolve

March 13, 2025

by Mohammed Rehman // from www.motorsportweek.com

• MICHELLE GATTING got emotional recalling her 2019 Le Mans debut with Iron Dames, where she and teammates RAHEL FREY and MANUELA GOSTNER sat on the grid wearing sunglasses to hide their tears of pride. What started as a project met with skepticism has transformed into a paddock-respected organization with 16 drivers across multiple series, proving their staying power with consistent finishes and zero DNFs at Le Mans.
• Under DEBORAH MAYER’s leadership, Iron Dames has evolved from a questioned experiment to earning handshakes from Hypercar drivers in the paddock. GATTING praised MAYER as a protective, empowering leader who treats the drivers “like her own,” creating a determined mentality that permeates the entire project and has sustained it through seven successful years of growth.
• The 2025 season brings major developments with Iron Dames partnering exclusively with Porsche for GT3 efforts, making GATTING an official Porsche factory driver. She’s setting her sights on the next evolution: sharing cars with male factory drivers while maintaining Iron Dames branding, plus the ultimate goal of winning a championship to prove their consistency beyond individual race victories.
• Recent expansion includes the “Supported by Iron Dames” initiative nurturing three up-and-coming drivers – EMMA CHALVIN, LAURA VAN DEN HENGEL, and AVA LAWRENCE – across GT racing, rallying, and karting. With WEC and ELMS wins already secured, GATTING acknowledges the current challenge of matching Manthey Racing’s dominance while building toward championship contention at Le Mans and beyond.

fia world endurance championship, le mans 24 hours, lmgt3, porsche