Iron Dames has withdrawn its #83 Porsche 911 GT3.R (992) from next week’s Road to Le Mans event, following a recent health issue for driver Vanina Ickx.
The Italian team has confirmed that, following medical advice, 7x 24 Hours of Le Mans entrant Ickx will miss the event. It was set to be her first start at the Circuit Des 24 Heures Du Mans since finishing a personal best 7th overall in the 24 Hours in 2011.
Rather than seek a late replacement for Ickx, Iron Dames has elected to withdraw the car the Belgian driver was set to share with Marta García Lopez.
The Road to Le Mans field is therefore reduced to 57 cars, with 14 of them in the GT3 class.
“We regret to announce that the 2025 Iron Dames Michelin Le Mans Cup line-up of Vanina Ickx and Marta García will not take part in next week’s Road to Le Mans,” the team said in a statement.
“This difficult decision, which saddens the entire team, follows a recent health issue for Vanina. On medical advice, she will not be competing at Le Mans.
“We’re pleased to share that she is doing well and is expected to return to racing very soon.
“Thank you for your understanding and continued support.”
García and Ickx currently sit sixth in the GT3 drivers’ standings after the opening two races of the Michelin Le Mans Cup.
Following Le Mans, the Le Mans Cup has an eight-week break before the next round at Spa-Francorchamps.
The pair of 60-minute Road to Le Mans races will take place on Thursday 12th and Saturday 14th June respectively, as part of the support bill for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Image courtesy of Le Mans Cup
