The Iron Dames have confirmed their 2025 FOA WEC programme with a Porsche 911 GT3R run by Manthey Racing replacing the 2024 Lamborghini, and with Celia Martin stepping up to the WEC to replace the now Silver-ranked Sarah Bovy.
Returning to the driver lineup are both Michelle Gatting from Denmark and Switzerland’s Rahel Frey.
French racer Celia Martin arrives after a debut season with the team debut season in the Michelin Le Mans Cup as the trio look to add a first LMGHT3 win to add to the historic victory taken in the final ever GTE Am race at Bahrain in 2023 sealing the runner-up position in the class Championship that season..
To date, the Iron Dames have completed 27 FIA WEC races, securing seven pole positions and five podium finishes.
Deborah Mayer, Iron Dames Project Founder: “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.”
Michelle Gatting: “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.”
Rahel Frey: “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!”
Celia Martin: “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.”
Nicolas Raeder, Managing Director, Manthey Racing GmbH: “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’re 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 and are looking forward to the 2025 season and to being able to bring a Porsche in pink to the starting grid.”
