Porsche steps up support of Iron Dames program, Michelle Gatting promoted official Porsche driver

With the shared mission to achieve success and inspire future generations, the new 'Porsche X Iron Dames' partnership marks a new chapter for the project, which also sees Michelle Gatting becoming Porsche official driver.

Photo credits: Porsche Motorsport

Porsche has stepped up its partnership with Iron Dames, the groundbreaking all-female team, forming the "Porsche X Iron Dames" collaboration for 2025 and beyond. This marks a new chapter for the project, which has made history since its inception in 2019 with high-profile victories across global sports car championships.

With Iron Dames transitioning from Lamborghini to Porsche for all its racing programs in 2025, the new partnership will also include the development-focused Iron Dames Young Talents initiative, aiming to solidify pathways for female drivers from karting to the echelongs of professional motorsport.

Notably, Danish gold-rated driver Michelle Gatting has also been named a Porsche official driver as part of this expanded collaboration.

"I’m beyond words and proud to finally announce that I’ve signed my first ever contract with a motorsports manufacturer and can now officially call myself a contracted Porsche Driver", Gatting announced. "It is without doubt the biggest milestone in my racing career and even though it’s important to enjoy the moment, it has given me so much motivation to become even better as a racing driver, so therefore the work for the future is already in full swing."

"I want to thank from the bottom of my heart, Deborah and Claudio for believing in me since day one 7 years ago, I would not have made it this far without you and I’m super proud to be the first Iron Dame to sign a factory contract."

Photo credits: Porsche Motorsport

Under the slogan “Porsche X Iron Dames – because every dream matters,” the partnership represents the shared commitment between the project founded by Deborah Mayer and the German brand, building on previous successes. In 2023, Michelle Gatting, Rahel Frey and Sarah Bovy made history by clinching a class win in the FIA WEC season finale in Bahrain, marking the first-ever victory for an all-female trio in the championship.

In 2024, the trio added to this achievement a race win in the LMGT3 class in the European Le Mans Series race in Imola. Additionally, Marta García - also part of the Iron Dames talent pool, was also part of the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team for the women-dedicated test last month at Circuito de Jarama, where she drove the Porsche 99X Electric.

The 'Porsche X Iron Dames' collaboration kicks off this weekend with the Asian Le Mans Series opener in Sepang, Malaysia, as Gatting, Bovy and Célia Martin get behind the wheel of the pink Porsche 911 GT3 R. The main team - which saw the addition of new bronze-rated Martin folloing Bovy's recategorisation - will take on four major endurance series across the world, with programs in FIA WEC (operated by Manthey Racing), Asian Le Mans Series, European Le Mans Series, and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (operated by Proton Competition).

Porsche’s support will extend to integrate the Iron Dames Young Talents program into Porsche’s renowned junior development pipeline. This pathway aims to connect Porsche own's initiatives like national Porsche one-make cups, the central Porsche Junior Program, and the Iron Dames support program for young talents.

“Porsche stands for a culture of equal opportunities and diversity", said Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport. "Encouraging women to get involved in motorsport and then supporting them in open competition is something we value highly. In this context, we’ve seen that the Iron Dames project is well-structured and was very successful in recent years.”

“Since our customer teams have already celebrated victories with the Iron Dames, we’re now taking the next logical step. We’re very confident that the collaboration in all series will reap excellent results and we can highlight our contribution to supporting female racing drivers with victories and podium finishes.”

"Our journey is not just about competing at the highest level, but also about proving that the door to the racing world is open to everyone with passion and determination", echoed Deborah Mayer, Iron Dames founder.

"By 2025, we aim to set new benchmarks together, to empower women in endurance racing, support upcoming female drivers, change perceptions and inspire the next generation. ‘Porsche X Iron Dames’ provides more than a fresh impetus for women in motorsport, it sends a powerful message that every dream is worth pursuing, no matter how ambitious."