Celia Martin, the trailblazing driver for Iron Dames, is all set to make her illustrious debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship, starting with the Qatar season-opener. Her excitement is palpable, the anticipation akin to the nervous energy of a first day at school. “It’s my initial stint here in Qatar, with FIA WEC and Manthey – a trifecta of firsts for me,” she shared, reflecting on her past experience in the Le Mans Cup with the Iron Dames.
The racing professional has been quick to adapt to her new environment, making commendable progress in familiarising herself with the car. “There are several aspects which are new for me, but I am acclimatising swiftly, growing more assured in the car, which is pivotal for the race,” Martin asserted. She also lauded her teammates for their continued efforts in enhancing the car’s performance.
The Iron Dames’ #85 Porsche 911 LMGT3.R is all set to be helmed by team stalwarts Rahel Frey and Michelle Gatting, both of whom made their mark at Iron Dames’ Le Mans debut in 2019, and now, the new addition, Martin, for the forthcoming eight-round campaign.
Gatting, while speaking to Motorsport Week following the official pre-season test, conveyed her honest expectations for the Qatar 1812km. “It’s a delight to be here this year in a Porsche. I have a clear preference for Porsche over the Lambo we had last year,” she confessed. She acknowledged the team’s current position in the race, running behind the other cars, but expressed optimism about finding an alternate strategy to manage the situation. “The inaugural race of the season might not see us on top of the podium, but we are not deterred,” she stated.
The Iron Dames, one of the 18 entries in the LMGT3 category, have already undertaken a partnership with Porsche, a collaboration which began in the last year’s European Le Mans Series season with Proton Racing, and continued during the 2024/25 Asian Le Mans Series.
The Lusail International Circuit will host the Qatar 1812 km race on 28 February, marking the continuation of the action. The WEC opener for the 10-hour race will kick off with a 90-minute Free Practice 1 session on Wednesday 26 February from 11.30am local time/8.30am GMT.
Celia Martin’s ’emotional’ first season with the Iron Dames is a fascinating journey worth exploring. Her WEC debut is a testament to her perseverance and talent, and a significant milestone for the Iron Dames.
