The Iron Dames will no longer compete in the WEC in 2026

The rumor had been circulating in the paddock for several months and it is now official: the Iron Dames will no longer compete in the World Championship.Endurance in 2026. The Italian team announced its withdrawal in WEC on his social media accounts this Wednesday.

 

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« The entry list for the FIA ​​WEC will be revealed soon, and when it is, you will not see any entries. Porsche under the Iron Dames banner, the team wrote this on its Instagram account. We know this may come as a surprise—and that some of our fans may feel emotional. But it's a deliberate change—a choice that reinforces our long-term vision. It's the next step in a performance-driven project that never stops evolving and redefining standards.

Since 2021 in the FIA ​​WEC, the Iron Dames have stood at the pinnacle of global endurance racing — proving that talent has no gender, that determination moves mountains, and that women have their rightful place on the biggest stage in motorsport. As the only all-female team for five seasons, we didn't just participate —
We changed the narrative and left a cultural imprint, with unforgettable moments like Bahrain's historic victory in 2023.

Racing remains our domain, our driving force, and one of our strongest areas—and yes—we will be present on many circuits in 2026, with the Ladies and young talents further strengthening the future of the project. The Iron Dames spirit has never existed on a single grid.

Our journey has taught us that standing still is never an option. Our purpose lies in the next step—in the mission to keep progressing, inspiring, and dreaming big. What began on the track has become a powerful movement—one that extends far beyond motorsport—and you are a part of it. Your support fuels everything we do—today and tomorrow. »

In 2025, the Iron Dames team consisted of a trio of Célia Martin, Michelle Gatting, and Rahel Frey. Of the five seasons contested in the World Endurance Championship, this was the most challenging, with their best result being a fourth-place finish at the 6 Hours of São Paulo. The end of the season was particularly trying, with a retirement in Austin, a 13th-place finish at Fuji, and a 12th-place finish in Bahrain. The project's best result was a historic victory at the 2023 8 Hours of Bahrain with Gatting, Frey, and Sarah Bovy. The trio had finished as runners-up in the LMGTE Am championship that same year.

Manuela Gostner, Katherine Legge, Christina Nielsen and Dorian Pin have also raced with the team in the WEC since 2021. With the withdrawal of the Iron Dames, a female presence on the 2026 grid is currently uncertain.