"With only one full season under my belt, being supported by Iron Dames already is nothing short of remarkable" - Discover the new GT driver just announced in the new 'Supported by Iron Dames' programme, Laura van den Hengel.
What began as a groundbreaking racing team has now grown into a project that is actively shaping the future of women in motorsport. Iron Dames continue to lay the foundation for a legacy that extends beyond the racetrack; through its programs, the team has consistently demonstrated that women can not only compete but also succeed at the highest levels when given the right support and opportunities.
Building on this mission, Iron Dames has launched the "Supported by Iron Dames" program, designed as a talent incubator to provide resources, visibility, and development opportunities for promising female talents who align with the team’s values.
Among the first three selected talents is 33-year-old racer Laura van den Hengel, the only GT driver announced in the program.
"I am truly honoured to be involved with the ‘Supported by Iron Dames’ project", Laura commented.
"From the very first day I stepped into the world of car racing, it was always my dream to be part of something as inspiring as this."
Van Den Hengel is not your typical racing driver. Coming from a non-wealthy background, she worked her way up from karting to sports car racing - and shows no signs of stopping.
She started karting nationally in the Netherlands, and soon climbed the ranks of the KZ categories. Despite a six-year hiatus, she never gave up on her dream, and she is now entering her second full season in GT racing as a bronze-rated driver—a crucial categorization in endurance racing, where a fast AM driver can make a significant impact.
Making the incredible leap from karting to the GT3 Cup car at the end of 2023, she quickly demonstrated natural speed in the Porsche 992 GT3 Cup, entering two rounds in the GT Cup Open Europe series at Paul Ricard and Monza.
The quantum leap was barely noticeable, though: Laura made huge progress in her two weekends, especially in mixed-weather at the Temple of Speed where she made her way through the field.
Returning for her first full-time campaign in 2024, van den Hengel focused on refining her raw potential and developing consistency. In an AM-entry, she took on a leadership role despite her limited experience, learning each lap while adjusting to a new car with different driving characteristics, the Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo, as well as new circuits.
Van den Hengel however continued to make impressive strides in every aspect of racing. From strong qualifying performances to increasingly consistent race pace, she steadily closed in on the top three in the AM class.
At the Portimão season opener she made a remarkable start in Race 1, running as high as third before finishing both races in the top ten. At Hockenheimring, an impressive drive in Race 2 nearly awarded her the top three - in a round that marked a turning point in her season as she worked on maximising her raw speed.
At the legendary Spa-Francorchamps, van den Hengel in fact secured her first top-five in the series. With one of her signature strong starts, she gained multiple positions in the opening laps and climbed to third in class by the end of her stint - in a testament of her growing confidence and racecraft.
Returning to a track where she had prior experience of at Paul Ricard, Laura secured second on the grid, in one of the highlights of her season - before technical issues took her out of contention. The final rounds in Barcelona and Monza again showcased her continuous improvement; strong in qualifying, she again narrowly missed the top three, climbing through the field and finishing fourth in class at Circuit de Catalunya.
Shortly after, she secured her first career podium in a one-off Italian GT Championship appearance at Mugello, teaming up with Ian Rodriguez in a ProAm entry - on her return to the Porsche 992 GT3 Cup machine.
With no prior experience on most tracks, limited testing, and a new car, van den Hengel made significant progress, often closing the gap to the ProAm drivers - making her one of the most exciting female bronze-rated prospects in sports car racing.
Now part of the "Supported by Iron Dames" programme, van den Hengel is aiming to take her career to the next level: she is set to return to GT Cup Open Europe with Porsche, determined to build on her progress and continue her climb toward the top of endurance racing.
"With only one full season under my belt, being supported by Iron Dames already is nothing short of remarkable", she stated.
"This opportunity proves that with dedication, hard work, and belief in yourself, so much is achievable."
"I am more determined than ever to show what I can achieve, both on and off the track, and to inspire others to chase their own dreams", Laura continued. "Iron Dames is about more than just racing - it’s about empowering women to reach their potential and I’m excited to be walking this path with such an incredible team, still in the early stages of my career."
The new program further cements Iron Dames' commitment to fostering future stars, offering a merit-based pathway for talents to potentially join the full Iron Dames roster. Van den Hengel will undoubtedly aim to use this opportunity to continue proving her dedication and growth in motorsport.
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