The Iron Ladies, for the 24 hours of Daytona

At night, a fleeting pink halo outlines the winding curves and straight lines of the circuit. You can only see the number 83 with him in every race. Inside, one of four Iron Dames pilot with an iron hand Lamborghinia Ferrari yes Porsche of the toughest endurance races on the calendar. For six years now, they have earned their place on the starting grid. And they are trampling.

After its successful passage on the European circuits with many victories and several podiums, the Italian team Iron Dames consisting only of women behind the wheel and companions Deborah Mayer at the helm of the team, he will debut in the prestigious race of Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona at the beginning of the season IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup next weekend of January 28-29.

The pink team features the same lineup of drivers that achieved historic success in francorchamp spas in 2022: Dorian Pin (French, 19 years old), Michelle Gatting (Danish, 29 years old), Rachel Frey (Switzerland, 36 years old) and Sarah Bovy (Belgian, 33 years old) will share the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 in the GTD class. These four women will make history on the most emblematic circuit, on a combined 5.73 km track that uses mostly the trioval, along with a section of the inner track. This will be the second race of Iron Dames on American soil, then 1000 Miles of Sebring of the FIA ​​WEC in 2022.

A success that started in 2017

Iron Dames is a project created and managed by Deborah Mayerentrepreneur, driver and president of the FIA ​​​​Commission for Women in Motorsport (WIM). Mayer debuted in 2013 in the race in a Ferrari 458 CH EVO during the Ferrari Challenge Europe in Monza and in 2017, having retired from competition, he met Claudio Schiavoni, Sergio Pianezzola Y Andrea Picini and they established the Iron Lynx Motorsport Lab.

In 2018 they ran the first race with a team made up of women: Rachel Frey, Michelle Gatting Y Manuela Gostner compete in the 12 hours of Dubai.

In 2019 they debuted in European Le Mans Series in Monza and in 2020 they are competing in the Ferrari Challenge Europe. in 2021 Michelle Gatting She was the first woman to win the Ferrari Challenge Europe Pirelli Trophy.

But its hatching is in 2022. They participated in 24 hours of Le Mans where they adjust all the necessary parameters to succeed throughout the year. Pin win at Ferrari Challenge Europe Pirelli Trophy with 9 victories and 13 podiums. The Iron Dames They were the first women’s team to reach the podium in FIA World Endurance Championship as winners of European Le Mans Series. They won the Gold Cup by 24 hours of Spa as the first women’s team in addition to ELMS 4H of Portimao and several podium finishes in the FIA ​​WEC.

Now, in addition to the debut on Daytona They will also participate in 12 hours. of Sebring6 am of The Glen and the Motul Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta.

Romain Grosjean, in the team

But the Iron Damesthey are not alone. A car numbered #19 will compete in the class GT Daytona and lead by Claudio Schiavoni, Raffaele Giammariathe factory pilot of Lamborghini Franck Perera Y Rolf Ineichenwho has already won Daytona.

One of the newest additions to the family iron lynxthe exploitation of Formula 1 and Lamborghini’s new factory driver Romain Grosjean, will take the reins of the #63 car, bringing his vast experience to the team. He will be accompanied by official Lamborghini drivers and the two-time winner of Daytona Mirko Bortolotti alreadyAndrea Caldarelliwith Jordan Pepperin class GT Daytona Pro.

With the support of Lamborghini Squadra Corsethe team will also compete in GT World Challenge Europe with cars #63, #19 and #83 in six endurance rounds.

Great results are accompanied by full support, from the beginning of FIA through the Women in Motorsports (WIM) Commission. Deborah Mayer is convinced that to promote the inclusion of women in motorsport, both behind the wheel and in key development positions, nothing must be given up. The IFrum girls They are a good example because 70% of the workers are women, from mechanics, engineering, communication, marketing, logistics…

Also, without forgetting the basis of everything: they have several support programs for girls who start karting for their professional development, knowing that just winning races is not enough if in the future we want to see more female drivers taking podiums. as well said Mayer “Iron Dames She started running with the goal of becoming an ambassador for women in motorsport. That’s why we wear pink: to recognize who’s driving against the best. We do it because we love racing.”