Gatting Targeting Expanded Program With Porsche

Photo: Jurgen Tap/Porsche

Michelle Gatting has revealed ambitions of contesting races in addition to her Iron Dames role, revealing that several “pick and choose” events are being lined up for later this year in Porsche 911 GT3 R machinery.

The newly Porsche-contracted driver has been a staple with the Iron Dames, although will branch out beyond the all-female driver initiative as part of her new association with the German manufacturer.

Gatting told Sportscar365: “Obviously it’s still very new so nothing has changed for me yet, but this is definitely on the plan for this year and also for the upcoming years.

“This was the whole idea about pushing a lot to [become] a Porsche-contracted driver.

“I will hopefully, for a long time, still be an Iron Dames driver, but you will see more and more Iron Dames hopefully in different team setups, maybe not as all-female lineups.

“My personal goal is to definitely get a chance in a car with male drivers, best case scenario male [Porsche] factory drivers to really learn as much as possible.

“That’s where I believe where I’m still missing something. I’ve developed a lot over the years, especially the last two years I can really feel like I’m reaching a level that is good.

“But I still believe there’s a lot to learn. To get that opportunity to be in a car with professional male drivers, being able to make that extra step and comparing myself to drivers that are going to be faster, I think this would be a very positive thing.

“So I’m pushing a lot for that.”

Gatting revealed that she had been personally pushing to be in a Porsche in last month’s Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour and has also targeted the Nürburgring 24 as another race she’d like to one day contest.

“For sure Bathurst is high on that list,” she said. “I’m pushing very hard for that specific race. I was already pushing for this year, hoping that I could maybe find a way.

“It was a bit too early but that one is definitely on the list.

“The 24 Hours of Nürburgring is also on the list, so there are some races and hopefully sooner than later we can also announce there will be some things for me besides the Iron Dames project, as a Porsche driver.”

Gatting indicated that “small things” are already in place for this year, ahead of a more defined program for 2026.

She said: “There’s ‘pick and choose’ races for the moment and hopefully at the end of this year we can find a more specific program for next year where I can still of course do my Iron Dames stuff but also be a Porsche-contracted driver.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John