Iron Dames pulls out of WEC after five seasons

Iron Dames has announced its exit from the World Endurance Championship at the end of the 2025 season, wrapping up a five-year spell in the series.

The Italian-Swiss organisation has fielded all-female driver line-ups in the WEC since 2021, campaigning a variety of machinery across the GT ranks.

But ahead of the publication of the official 2026 entry list in early December, the team confirmed it has not submitted an application to compete in next year’s LMGT3 class.

Iron Dames said the decision was based on strategic considerations, while stressing that it will continue to compete elsewhere in motorsports.

The team will communicate its exact plans for 2026 at a later date.

“The FIA WEC entry list will be revealed soon — and when it is, you won’t see a Porsche entry under the Iron Dames banner,” it said in a statement.

“We know this may come as a surprise — and may feel emotional for some of our fans. But it’s a change by design — one that strengthens our long-term vision.

"This is the next step forward of a performance-driven project that never stops evolving and redefining the norm.

“Since 2021 in FIA WEC, the Iron Dames have stood at the summit of world endurance racing — proving that talent has no gender, that determination moves mountains, and that women belong on the biggest stage of motorsport.

“As the only all-female line-up for five seasons, we didn’t just take part — we reshaped the narrative and left a cultural mark, with unforgettable moments like the historic Bahrain victory in 2023.

“Racing is our ground, our drive, and still one of our strongest frontiers — and yes — we’ll be on many racetracks in 2026, dames and young talents further strengthening the future of the project. The Iron Dames spirit has never lived on one grid only.

“Our journey taught us that standing still is never an option.

#85 Iron Dames Porsche 911 GT3 R LMGT3: Celia Martin, Rahel Frey, Michelle Gatting

Photo by: Shameem Fahath

"Our purpose lives in the next step — in the mission to keep climbing, keep inspiring, keep dreaming big.

“What began on track has grown into a powerful movement — one that reaches far beyond motorsport — and you are part of it.

“Your support fuels everything we do — today and tomorrow.”

There have been reports for several months suggesting that DC Racing Solutions, the parent company behind Iron Dames, Iron Lynx and Prema Racing, has been facing financial difficulties.

Following Iron Lynx’s split with Lamborghini at the end of 2024, growing uncertainty surrounding Prema’s IndyCar programme and the recent auction of a car collection linked to Claudio Schiavoni, the closure of the Iron Dames’ WEC effort marks the fourth significant setback for a DC Racing Solutions project in the past 18 months.

Iron Dames made its WEC debut in 2021 via a collaboration with the sister Iron Lynx organisation, running the Ferrari 488 GTE in the GTE Am class.

Its breakthrough season came in 2023 with the switch to the Porsche 911 RSR-19, when Sarah Bovy, Michelle Gatting and Rahel Frey claimed a historic GTE Am victory in Bahrain and finished second in the championship.

Iron Dames remained in the WEC following the introduction of GT3 regulations, moving to the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo2 and securing a best result of fourth at Le Mans.

When Iron Lynx’s partnership with Lamborghini ceased at the end of 2024 and it forged a new alliance with Mercedes, Iron Dames went its own separate way, aligning with reigning champion Manthey for its second entry with the Porsche 911 GT3 R.

Frey and Gatting stayed on at the team, while Celia Martin made her WEC debut in place of Bovy.

But while the other Manthey entry driven by Ryan Hardwick, Richard Lietz and Riccardo Pera won the title, the Iron Dames trio mustered just one top-five finish all year in the #85 Porsche.

Outside of the WEC, Iron Dames has enjoyed a regular presence in the European Le Mans Series and the Le Mans Cup, while also appearing in select races in the IMSA SportsCar Championship.

Iron Dames has been particularly successful in the ELMS, scoring wins in each of the last three seasons. Its 2025 ELMS entry featured Gatting, Martin and Bovy.

Despite Iron Dames' exit, Manthey is expected to continue in the LMGT3 class next year with a two-car Porsche team.