Iron Dames has introduced its exit from the World Endurance Championship on the finish of the 2025 season, wrapping up a five-year spell within the collection.
The Italian-Swiss organisation has fielded all-female driver line-ups within the WEC since 2021, campaigning quite a lot of equipment throughout the GT ranks.
However forward of the publication of the official 2026 entry checklist in early December, the staff confirmed it has not submitted an software to compete in subsequent yr’s LMGT3 class.
Iron Dames stated the choice was based mostly on strategic concerns, whereas stressing that it’s going to proceed to compete elsewhere in motorsports.
The staff will talk its precise plans for 2026 at a later date.
“The FIA WEC entry checklist will likely be revealed quickly — and when it’s, you gained’t see a Porsche entry underneath the Iron Dames banner,” it stated in a press release.
“We all know this will likely come as a shock — and should really feel emotional for a few of our followers. Nevertheless it’s a change by design — one which strengthens our long-term imaginative and prescient.
“That is the subsequent step ahead of a performance-driven venture that by no means stops evolving and redefining the norm.
“Since 2021 in FIA WEC, the Iron Dames have stood on the summit of world endurance racing — proving that expertise has no gender, that dedication strikes mountains, and that girls belong on the largest stage of motorsport.
“As the one all-female line-up for 5 seasons, we didn’t simply participate — we reshaped the narrative and left a cultural mark, with unforgettable moments just like the historic Bahrain victory in 2023.
“Racing is our floor, our drive, and nonetheless certainly one of our strongest frontiers — and sure — we’ll be on many racetracks in 2026, dames and younger skills additional strengthening the way forward for the venture. The Iron Dames spirit has by no means lived on one grid solely.
“Our journey taught us that standing nonetheless isn’t an choice.
#85 Iron Dames Porsche 911 GT3 R LMGT3: Celia Martin, Rahel Frey, Michelle Gatting
Photograph by: Shameem Fahath
“Our function lives within the subsequent step — within the mission to maintain climbing, preserve inspiring, preserve dreaming huge.
“What started on observe has grown into a robust motion — one which reaches far past motorsport — and you’re a part of it.
“Your help fuels all the pieces we do — at the moment and tomorrow.”
There have been stories for a number of months suggesting that DC Racing Options, the dad or mum firm behind Iron Dames, Iron Lynx and Prema Racing, has been dealing with monetary difficulties.
Following Iron Lynx’s cut up with Lamborghini on the finish of 2024, rising uncertainty surrounding Prema’s IndyCar programme and the current public sale of a automobile assortment linked to Claudio Schiavoni, the closure of the Iron Dames’ WEC effort marks the fourth important setback for a DC Racing Options venture previously 18 months.
Iron Dames made its WEC debut in 2021 by way of a collaboration with the sister Iron Lynx organisation, operating the Ferrari 488 GTE within the GTE Am class.
Its breakthrough season got here in 2023 with the change to the Porsche 911 RSR-19, when Sarah Bovy, Michelle Gatting and Rahel Frey claimed a historic GTE Am victory in Bahrain and completed second within the championship.
Iron Dames remained within the WEC following the introduction of GT3 laws, shifting to the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo2 and securing a finest results of fourth at Le Mans.
When Iron Lynx’s partnership with Lamborghini ceased on the finish of 2024 and it cast a brand new alliance with Mercedes, Iron Dames went its personal separate approach, aligning with reigning champion Manthey for its second entry with the Porsche 911 GT3 R.
Frey and Gatting stayed on on the staff, whereas Celia Martin made her WEC debut rather than Bovy.
However whereas the opposite Manthey entry pushed by Ryan Hardwick, Richard Lietz and Riccardo Pera gained the title, the Iron Dames trio mustered only one top-five end all yr within the #85 Porsche.
Exterior of the WEC, Iron Dames has loved a daily presence within the European Le Mans Collection and the Le Mans Cup, whereas additionally showing in choose races within the IMSA SportsCar Championship.
Iron Dames has been significantly profitable within the ELMS, scoring wins in every of the final three seasons. Its 2025 ELMS entry featured Gatting, Martin and Bovy.
Regardless of Iron Dames’ exit, Manthey is anticipated to proceed within the LMGT3 class subsequent yr with a two-car Porsche staff.
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