MARTA GARCÍA & VANINA ICKX Finally Break Through for Iron Dames First Podium

August 26, 2025

by RACERS // from www.racers-behindthehelmet.com

• About damn time. After watching MARTA GARCÍA get taken out while leading at Barcelona and then dealt penalty heartbreak at Paul Ricard, we finally got to see what this pairing can do when the racing gods aren’t actively working against them. García’s first GT3 podium came on just her third start, but let’s be real – this should have happened rounds ago if not for circumstances beyond their control.
• VANINA ICKX reminded everyone exactly why she’s back after a decade away from competitive racing. Her qualifying performance was pure class – leading the bronze session by 1.6 seconds and snagging third on the grid in tricky conditions at her home track. Then she absolutely nailed the race start, threading through a multi-car pile-up to emerge in the class lead and set the fastest GT3 lap of the race. That’s how you make a statement return.
• The real story here is GARCÍA’s race craft under pressure. When Fumanelli overtook her for the lead, she didn’t panic or make the rookie mistake of trying to fight back immediately. Instead, she kept it clean, found her rhythm, and started dropping lap times that proved she belonged at the front. Even when Dunner was breathing down her neck with unmatched pace in the closing minutes, she held her nerve and secured that podium – showing the composure of someone who’s been waiting for this moment.

911 gt3 r, circuit de spa-francorchamps, iron dames, michelin le mans cup