In 2024, the world of motorsport is still predominantly dominated by men. There are no female drivers in the current grids of Formula 1, Formula E, or IndyCar. The same goes for the Hypercar class, the highlight of the World Endurance Championship, which will start its 2024 season in Qatar this weekend. However, the GT3 class, which has become the main support for Hypercars after the removal of the LMP2 category, tells a different story. The Iron Dames team has played a significant role in changing the gender imbalance in motorsport by nurturing young female talents and giving them a platform to showcase their skills on the international stage.
Conceived by former GT driver Deborah Mayer, the Iron Dames team was founded in 2018 with the aim of increasing female representation in motorsport and highlighting talents that could go unnoticed. The team’s initial lineup for the 2018 Gulf 12 Hours included Manuela Gostner, Michelle Gatting, and Rahel Frey. From that point on, the team’s trajectory was set, especially for experienced Frey, who reflected on the difficulties she had to overcome as a female driver. “It was a really long road for a woman to travel, and in the end, the fact that I have come so far makes me even prouder,” she said.
The Iron Dames team’s second season was a success, with Gostner, Gatting, and Frey proving their worth in a full season of the LMGTE category in the European Le Mans Series. Their campaign started with a hard-fought second place at Paul Ricard. Throughout the season, the team showed a striking characteristic: honesty. There were no excuses for mistakes or wrong directions taken in strategy or setup. The team embraced a culture of learning from mistakes and challenged skeptical expectations.
Gatting reflects on the early days of the team and the lack of respect they initially received in the paddock. “In the beginning, I didn’t feel respected in the paddock,” she admits. “People never greeted us. They didn’t expect to see us there the following year.” However, as the team began to deliver solid performances and compete for victories, respect began to grow. The team’s success was a testament to the changing attitudes towards female participation in motorsport. “Our business, our sport has become more open to female participation,” observed Frey. “There is definitely more support for women, and that should be good for the future.”
In their debut season in the World Endurance Championship in 2021, the Iron Dames team experimented with different driver combinations. Only Frey competed in all six rounds. This flexibility in lineups allowed the team to attract both established female drivers and those looking to make their mark in the racing world. Sarah Bovy, who had only participated in a few professional races, including two rounds of the W Series in 2019, joined the team and showed her talent on the track. Bovy’s father, a former racing driver, understood the challenges she faced as a woman in motorsport. However, Bovy’s determination and talent propelled her career.
The Iron Dames team’s performance improved over time. In the 2022 season, they achieved their first pole position and podium in the LMGTE Am class at Monza. This success continued with more poles and podiums at Fuji and Bahrain. The team’s consistent upward trajectory challenged preconceived notions about all-female teams in motorsport and received acclaim.
As the team’s success grew, their presence in paddocks around the world also increased. In addition to their participation in the World Endurance Championship and the European Le Mans Series, the Iron Dames team ventured into the Michelin Le Mans Cup, contributing to Iron Lynx’s consecutive team championship victories. Gatting also became the first female champion of the Ferrari Challenge Europe series in 2021. The team’s ambition extended beyond endurance racing. They aimed to bring young female drivers to various series around the world, establishing a young driver academy.
The Iron Dames team’s efforts to nurture young talents paid off when Doriane Pin joined them. Pin’s performances caught the attention of Prema Racing, leading her to a seat in their 2023 WEC campaign and a seat supported by Mercedes F1 in the F1 Academy championship. Pin’s success showcased the potential of the Iron Dames program in shaping the careers of young drivers.
While Pin excelled in LMP2 cars, the trio of Bovy, Frey, and Gatting celebrated their first victory in the GTE Am category of the WEC at the 2023 season finale in Bahrain. The team’s successes attracted more interest and investment, creating a sustainable and profitable opportunity for female drivers in various disciplines of motorsport.
Gatting offers advice to aspiring young drivers who wish to follow in her and Pin’s footsteps. She emphasizes the importance of hard work and determination, stating that success will not come just by being part of a project like Iron Dames, but rather through individual efforts.
The Iron Dames team’s journey is far from over. Their achievements serve as a beginning, not an end. Michele Gatting, Sarah Bovy, and Doriane Pin will compete as the Iron Dames GT3 team in the opening of the WEC in Qatar, while Rahel Frey will be part of the team’s lineup in the ELMS.
© 2024
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