Iron Dames Confirm Series Exit

Iron Dames will not continue with its LMGT3 effort in the FIA World Endurance Championship next year, the team confirmed via a statement on social media.

The all-female squad had raced a Porsche 911 GT3 R in the championship this season as part of a tie-up with Porsche after making the switch from Lamborghini.

However, the status of the effort, as well as that of Iron Lynx, had become the subject of speculation amidst financial issues for parent company DC Racing Solutions, which is also involved in the Prema Racing effort in the NTT IndyCar Series.

While both Iron Lynx boss Andrea Piccini and head of Mercedes-AMG customer racing Stefan Wendl recently stated to Sportscar365 that that program is set to continue next year, the Iron Dames organization separately revealed on Thursday that its Porsche LMGT3 entry will not feature in the series next year.

“We know this may come as a surprise and may feel emotional for some of our fans,” the team wrote.

“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.

“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.”

The Iron Dames effort campaigned Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini across its tenure in the world championship.

Sarah Bovy, Rahel Frey, Michelle Gatting and Celia Martin formed the core of the driver lineup, while the likes of Doriane Pin, Christina Nielsen, Katherine Legge and Manuela Gostner also drove for the team.

Its strongest result came at the 8 Hours of Bahrain in 2023, when Bovy, Frey and Gatting drove to the final GTE-Am class victory before that category was replaced by LMGT3.

In addition to its WEC exit, the Iron Dames also did not appear on the 2026 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship entry list as released last month.