Iron Dames

WEC racing //

The pink car and the pink racing suit just underline the message we want to spread. We are three women who are driven by our dreams.

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June 24, 2025 (0)

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WEC racing

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racing status:

Pro

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inspiration(s):

Deborah Mayer

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GRRL-0165

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profile updated: June 12, 2025

The Iron Dames is a groundbreaking all-female racing team founded in 2018 by Deborah Mayer to support and showcase women in motorsport at the highest levels of competition.

EARLY YEARS

The Iron Dames project began as a collective rather than an individual effort. Some team members like Sarah Bovy had deep family connections to motorsport—her father Quirin Bovy was a racing driver from 1977 to 1991, competing in Formula 3, touring cars, and World Sportscar Prototype Championships, which fueled her interest from an early age. This exposure to racing and her father’s support helped guide her through early karting experiences and understanding the challenges women face in motorsports[1].

EARLY SUCCESS

The Iron Dames began their journey in 2018 at the Gulf 12 Hours with drivers Manuela Gostner, Michelle Gatting, and Rahel Frey. In their second season, they demonstrated their abilities in the European Le Mans Series with a strong second-place finish at Paul Ricard. The team’s solidarity, determination, and honest approach to debriefing helped them defy skeptical expectations and set the stage for their future achievements[1]. Their breakthrough came in 2022 at the TotalEnergies 24 Hours of Spa, where they became the first all-female lineup to take victory in the GT era[2].

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

2018: Iron Dames project is born with an all-female lineup consisting of Rahel Frey, Michelle Gatting, and Manuela Gostner at the 12 Hours of Dubai[1].
2022: Achieves their first win in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) at Portimao, finishing on the top step of the podium in their #83 Ferrari 488 GTE Evo[1].
2022: Takes the class win at the 24 Hours of Spa, becoming the first all-female line-up to win in the race’s GT era[1].
2023: Finishes 2nd in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and makes history by winning the 8 Hours of Bahrain, becoming the first lineup of women to win a race in the WEC[1][3].
2023: Michelle Gatting and teammates Sarah Bovy and Rahel Frey win the final ever LMGTE Am race in the FIA World Endurance Championship, securing first position and finishing second in the overall championship[3][5].

REPUTATION

The Iron Dames have established themselves as a formidable force in motorsports, overcoming mechanical issues and skepticism within the male-dominated racing community through exceptional teamwork and determination. Their historic achievements, including becoming the first all-female team to win a race in the World Endurance Championship, have earned them respect throughout the racing world. The team’s success in prestigious events like the 4 Hours of Imola and the 24 Hours of Le Mans has broken barriers for female representation in motorsport, inspiring the next generation of racers and demonstrating that talent has no gender[1][3].

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

The Iron Dames have announced their continuation in the FIA WEC for the 2025 season, forming a partnership with Manthey, a leading Porsche racing team, to set new standards for female-led motorsport excellence. Celia Martin has been promoted to the team’s lead lineup for 2025, replacing Sarah Bovy who has been upgraded to Silver FIA driver status[3]. The team is also expanding into rallying with drivers Sarah Rumeau and Julie Amblard competing in the French Rally Championship under Sarrazin Motorsport[4]. Their long-term aspiration remains breaking barriers and creating a supportive environment for talented female drivers to reach their full potential in motorsports[5].