The Iron Dames are prepared for the ultimate challenge in endurance racing, the 24 Hours of Le Mans as the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season moves to France for its headline event. The all-female line-up of Sarah Bovy, Rahel Frey and Michelle Gatting, will take part at the famous race behind the wheel of the pink Porsche 911 RSR-19, car #85.
The competition within the GTE Am class has been very close for the first three rounds of the season. The Dames took part in tight battles for the top positions at each of the opening races, showing great teamwork and strong character, taking a well-deserved podium at Portimão. The pink team had already established itself as a front-runner in qualifying sessions; Sarah Bovy confirming her pace with a pole position in Sebring and also threatening the top spot in Portimão and Spa. With experience, cohesion and ambition, they have their sights set on a first podium at Le Mans.
In the LMP2 category, French Iron Dame Doriane Pin will experience a highlight of her young career when she takes the start of the legendary race for the first time. Competing in the #63 Oreca 07-Gibson PREMA Racing LMP2 car with her experienced team mates Daniil Kvyat and Mirko Bortolotti, she is also targeting a podium. Doriane has been revealing her great talent and determination since her recent debut in LMP2. Her first race in the world championship yielded a brilliant podium finish and she is growing in strength race after race, already holding an impressive fifth place in the championship. She will be eagerly awaited by the French public for her first participation at Le Mans, but there is no doubt that she can withstand the pressure.
“I am extremely happy and proud to be back at Le Mans for the fifth consecutive time with the Iron Dames. This race means so much to endurance racing and the history of the sport. The beginning of the season has already been very promising with one podium for our trio and one for Doriane. The whole team is determined to fight at the front and is working hard to keep raising the level of performance.
I am confident that the Iron Dames will be at their best and will have competitive cars to fight for the podium, even against strong adversity and in an unpredictable 24-hour race. This centenary edition will be a major event in our female racing driver’s career but also in the journey of the whole team. We are relishing the challenge and looking forward to experiencing a fantastic sporting and human adventure,” said Deborah Mayer, Iron Dames Project Founder.
As well as being the most famous endurance race in the world, the 2023 edition of Le Mans will be made all the more special as it celebrates its centenary this year. The starting flag will drop at 4pm local time on June 10th, which is Sunday, June 11th at midnight Sydney time.
Photographs by Iron Lynx.