IRON DAMES SET FOR GROUNDBREAKING SEASON OPENERS IN QATAR

Iron Dames are set to make history once again as they take centre stage in the simultaneous season-opening events of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the Global Champions League (GCL) in Qatar. With an unprecedented presence across both disciplines, the magenta force is ready to make its mark on the global stage.

In WEC, the Iron Dames will proudly line up for their fourth consecutive season, reaffirming their place among the endurance racing elite. As the only all-female crew on the grid, they have continuously demonstrated that skill, determination, and perseverance can challenge the status quo. Returning with Porsche and the reigning LMGT3 Teams’ champions Manthey, the 2025 line-up of Michelle Gatting, Rahel Frey, and Celia Martin are keen to cement their legacy in the series by fighting for top positions throughout the season.

The Official Prologue to the 2025 WEC campaign will be hosted by the Lusail International Circuit on 21/22 February, before the season-opening Qatar 1812Km a week later at the same venue. The race itself gets underway at 11:00 local time (AST) on 28 February.

Meanwhile, in the world of show jumping, the Iron Dames will extend their influence with a dual presence in the GCL as the only all-female teams. The reigning champions, Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames, return to defend their title with Sophie Hinners, Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann and Sanne Thijssen while the brand-new team, the Monaco Comets, makes its debut proudly carrying the iconic magenta colours with riders Edwina Tops-Alexander, Ioli Mytilineou and Jeanne Sadran. This expansion reinforces Iron Dames’ commitment to excellence, breaking barriers and empowerment across multiple male-dominated arenas.

The first leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour will take place at Al Shaqab from 27 February until 1 March. The highlight of the week is the GCL on Thursday, 27 February and the Grand Prix will take place on Saturday, 1 March.

Beyond competition, the Iron Dames project is about far more than just results – it is about changing perceptions and creating opportunities. Their presence in Qatar is symbolic of the growing momentum for female athletes in traditionally male-dominated sports, particularly in a region where progress continues to accelerate. By competing at the highest levels of endurance racing and equestrian sport, they serve as role models for young women worldwide, proving that ambition and dedication can redefine what is possible.