THE IRON DAMES TO COMPETE IN 2025 FIA WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP WITH MANTHEY

The Iron Dames are thrilled to announce their continuation in the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) into the 2025 season, with Manthey – one of the world’s leading Porsche racing teams. This collaboration not only opens a new page with the iconic German manufacturer but also elevates the project’s commitment to setting new standards for female-led motorsport excellence and creating a legacy on the endurance racing stage.

Building on their historic achievements with Porsche in 2023, including victory in the final-ever LMGTE race in Bahrain, the Iron Dames will take to the track with renewed ambition and an unprecedented lineup blending experience and emerging talent, as the only 100% female team on the grid.

An Unprecedented Collaboration with Manthey “Closer to Perfection”

For the first time, the Iron Dames will race under the expert guidance of Manthey, one of the most successful and respected teams in endurance racing. The team has over 25 years at the forefront of motorsport and an impressive record contributing to Porsche’s GT achievements, including seven overall victories at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, multiple class wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and seven FIA WEC titles. Known for their commitment to precision and excellence, Manthey brings invaluable expertise to the team. Building on this winning formula, the Iron Dames aim to elevate their competitive edge, uniting a shared passion for excellence, teamwork, and precision.

A Dynamic New Lineup: Experience Meets Innovation

The Iron Dames’ 2025 lineup reflects the team’s commitment to both experience and new talent. Returning to the driver lineup are seasoned racers Michelle Gatting from Denmark and Switzerland’s Rahel Frey, whose skill and resilience have been instrumental in the team’s prior successes. They will be joined by French racer Celia Martin, a fresh face to the team and a rising star in endurance racing off the back of a successful debut season in the Michelin Le Mans Cup, whose passion and talent bring a new edge to the Iron Dames. This powerful trio, representing both experience and innovation, aims to make new waves in the championship in the Porsche 911 GT3 R, prepared by Manthey for world-class performance in the most demanding endurance races.

WEC: A Benchmark of Competitiveness

Under the visionary leadership of its promoter and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), the FIA WEC has grown into a dynamic and fiercely competitive platform, setting the gold standard for global endurance racing. With a relentless commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and thrilling competition, the championship attracts the world’s most talented drivers, top manufacturers, and legendary teams. The Iron Dames’ fifth consecutive participation in this prestigious championship underscores their commitment to competing at the highest level, while contributing to a progressive vision for the future of motorsport.

Iron Dames: Pioneers and Trailblazers in Motorsport

Since the launch of the project, the Iron Dames have broken barriers and rewritten the records in endurance racing. Highlights include becoming the first all-female team to secure an FIA WEC victory and the first to finish runner-up in the championship in 2023. To date, the Iron Dames have completed 27 FIA WEC races, securing seven pole positions and five podium finishes. Each season has brought new achievements, underscoring the team’s determination and unwavering pursuit of progress for women in motorsport.

Looking to the Future

As the countdown to the 2025 season begins, the Iron Dames, Manthey and Porsche are united in their shared vision and ambition. Driven by dreams with a bold line-up and hard work in preparation, the Iron Dames are ready to take the 2025 FIA WEC season by storm, proving once again that they don’t just compete, they make history.

“It’s an honour to once again compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship, which is the gold standard in global endurance racing. Returning to Porsche and collaborating with Manthey represents a new milestone for the Iron Dames. I have full confidence in their expertise and dedication to excellence, which perfectly match our ambition to shine at the highest level. Our 2025 lineup of Michelle, Rahel, and Celia represents both continuity and innovation as well as the transmission between generations which is a value at the heart of the project. I am proud of what we have accomplished so far and confident in what lies ahead. We are committed to writing a new chapter in Iron Dames’ endurance racing history, demonstrating that women have their rightful place at the top of the sport, inspiring generations to come.”

Deborah Mayer

“I am super happy to be back in FIA WEC next year and to be competing in my seventh 24 Hours of Le Mans. Besides that, we will be back with Porsche in without doubt the most well-known and respected team in the paddock – Manthey. It is a huge step for the Iron Dames project, and I cannot wait to see what we can do all together. Going with Rahel into our seventh season together, I hope that we can achieve some great results together. With Celia now joining as our new Bronze-graded driver, I have no doubt that she will do very well. We will try to prepare her as much as possible during the winter in the Asian Le Mans Series.”

Michelle Gatting

“I’m thrilled to be staying with the Iron Dames FIA WEC Team for 2025 with the renowned championship-winning team Manthey. Their enormous experience will take us to the next level and it will be great to be driving the Porsche #85 again at the highest level. We have already started working together and it feels great as the team has welcomed us with joy. I also welcome Celia as the new Bronze-graded driver in our FIA WEC driver line-up. I’m excited to see what step she can take after just one year in the Michelin Le Mans Cup. Let’s get it started!”

Rahel Frey

“When I started my journey in motorsport, I always hoped that one day I could compete in top-level GT and endurance racing. If you had asked me for the ultimate dream, it would be this – FIA WEC, Iron Dames and to top it off with Manthey as well. It really is a dream come true. I can’t thank Iron Dames enough for this opportunity and can’t wait for the season to start.”

Celia Martin

“We are proud to join forces with the Iron Dames in the WEC next year. We have always admired the project and have had many exciting but fair on-track duels with them in the past. We are confident that this is a great opportunity to develop together and to reach a new level with our experience in endurance racing and the tireless efforts of the Iron Dames. We are looking forward to the 2025 season and to being able to bring a Porsche in pink to the starting grid.”

Nicolas Raeder, Managing Director, Manthey Racing GmbH