In 2024, the world of motorsport is still predominantly male-dominated. No female drivers can be found on the current grids of Formula 1, Formula E, or IndyCar. The same holds true for the headline Hypercar class of the World Endurance Championship, which will kick off its 2024 season in Qatar this weekend. However, the GT3 class, which has become the main support act for Hypercar after the removal of the LMP2 category, tells a different story. The Iron Dames team has played a significant role in shifting the gender imbalance in motorsport by nurturing young female talent and giving them a platform to showcase their skills on the international stage.
The brainchild of former GT driver Deborah Mayer, the Iron Dames team was established in 2018 with the goal of increasing female representation in motorsport and highlighting the talents that may have otherwise gone 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 the experienced Frey, who reflected on the difficulties she had to overcome as a female driver. “It was a really long way for a female to have to push, and in the end, the fact that I got this far makes me even prouder,” she said.
The second season of the Iron Dames team was a breakout one, with Gostner, Gatting, and Frey proving their worth in a full season LMGTE entry in the European Le Mans Series. Their campaign began with a hard-earned second place at Paul Ricard. Throughout the season, the team displayed a strong trait: honesty. There were no excuses for mistakes or wrong directions taken on strategy or set-up. The team embraced a culture of learning from mistakes and defying skeptical expectations.
Gatting reflects on the team’s early days and the lack of respect they initially received in the paddock. “I didn’t feel respected in the paddock at first,” she admits. “People were never saying hello to us. They were not expecting to see us there the year after.” However, as the team started to deliver solid performances and challenge for wins, the 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-minded about female participation,” Frey noted. “There is definitely more support for women, and that has to be good for the future.”
In its 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 driver 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 handful of professional races, including two rounds of the W Series in 2019, joined the team and proved herself 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 forward.
The Iron Dames team’s performance improved over time. In the 2022 season, they secured their first pole position and podium finish 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 squads in motorsport and garnered acclaim.
As the team’s success grew, so did their presence in paddocks around the world. In addition to their participation in the World Endurance Championship and European Le Mans Series, the Iron Dames team ventured into the Michelin Le Mans Cup, contributing to Iron Lynx’s consecutive teams’ 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 into various series worldwide, establishing an academy of young drivers.
The Iron Dames team’s efforts to nurture young talent paid off when Doriane Pin joined their ranks. Pin’s performances caught the attention of Prema Racing, leading to a seat in their 2023 WEC campaign and a Mercedes F1-backed seat 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-ever WEC GTE Am win in the 2023 season finale in Bahrain. The team’s successes have attracted more interest and investment, creating a sustainable and lucrative opportunity for female drivers in various motorsport disciplines.
Gatting offers advice to aspiring young drivers who wish to follow in her footsteps and those of Pin. She emphasizes the importance of hard work and determination, stating that success will not come solely from being part of a project like the Iron Dames but from the individual’s own efforts.
The journey of the Iron Dames team is far from over. Their accomplishments serve as a beginning rather than an end. Michele Gatting, Sarah Bovy, and Doriane Pin will compete as the Iron Dames GT3 squad in the upcoming WEC opener in Qatar, while Rahel Frey will be part of the team’s ELMS lineup.