Porsche and Iron Dames have partnered-up, as CUPRA and Kiro join hands and Sergio Sette Camara joins Nissan in Formula E.
Porsche, Iron Dames –
“Porsche X Iron Dames – because every dream matters” is a slogan that represents the close collaboration between Porsche Motorsport and the renowned initiative to promote women in motor racing. The project kicks off with the start of the Asian Le Mans Series next weekend in Sepang (Malaysia). Four fast female drivers will compete in four top series at the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3 R. Michelle Gatting from Denmark, Rahel Frey from Switzerland, Sarah Bovy from Belgium and Célia Martin from France will race for the Iron Dames squad in Asia, Europe and the USA. The schedule also includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans as part of the FIA World Endurance Championship WEC.
Gatting, Frey and Martin will share driving duties in the pink 911 in the LMGT3 class of the FIA WEC. The Manthey team is responsible for the operational side of campaigning the ca. 416 kW (565 PS) racing car powered by a flat-six engine. The seasoned customer squad lifted every title in the GT3 category’s debut season in the WEC. Proton Competition runs operations in the Asian Le Mans Series, the European Le Mans Series and the North American IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. As part of this, Michelle Gatting from Denmark will be promoted to the Porsche contracted driver squad. The alliance between Porsche Motorsport and Iron Dames is set to continue for several years. Plans are already in the pipeline for the project to be closely linked to the German sports car manufacturer’s successful junior development pyramid.
The aim is to interlink the national support programs in the Porsche one-make cups, the central Junior Program of Porsche Motorsport and the recently introduced “Iron Dames Young Talents” initiative. Ideally, this creates a path for young talents from karting to top professional sport. “Porsche stands for a culture of equal opportunities and diversity. 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,” explains Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport.
“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.” Deborah Mayer, Founder of the Iron Dames Project, says: “It’s an honour to join forces with such a renowned brand as Porsche Motorsport, who share the same goal of leaving a lasting legacy in motorsport while driving forward progress. The Iron Dames Project has always been rooted in the power of dreams to overcome barriers.
“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. 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. I look forward to seeing Célia, Michelle, Rahel and Sarah racing Porsche cars all over the world again and to seeing the ‘Every Dream Matters’ movement flourish with them.”
In recent years, Porsche customer teams have already enjoyed successful outings with the Iron Dames. In 2023, Gatting, Frey and Bovy celebrated a milestone at the wheel of the Porsche 911 RSR at the season finale in Bahrain, where they were the first female trio to clinch a class win in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Last season, the three racing drivers jointly won the LMGT3 class of the 4-hour race of the European Le Mans Series in Imola (Italy). Last month, Spaniard Marta García completed a successful test in the Porsche 99X Electric of the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team. The 24-year-old is part of the Iron Dames’ sponsorship programme.
An overview of the Iron Dames’ 2025 schedule in the Porsche 911 GT3 R
FIA World Endurance Championship WEC (LMGT3 class): Michelle Gatting (DK), Rahel Frey (CH), Célia Martin (F) – Team: Manthey
IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (GTD class): Michelle Gatting (DK), Rahel Frey (CH), Sarah Bovy (B), Karen Gaillard (CH, 24 Hours of Daytona) – Team: Proton Competition
European Le Mans Series (LMGT3 class): Michelle Gatting (DK), Sarah Bovy (B), Célia Martin (F) – Team: Proton Competition
Asian Le Mans Series (GT class): Michelle Gatting (DK), Sarah Bovy (B), Célia Martin (F) – Team: Proton Competition
Video reveal: https://x.com/PorscheRaces/status/1863855896566157507
CUPRA Kiro –
Kiro Race Co (“Kiro”), the newest team in the FIA Formula E World Championship, is delighted to announce a multi-year partnership with CUPRA, the team’s official Co-Title Partner. The American team, now named CUPRA KIRO, is set to embark on an exciting new chapter with its official Formula E debut at the season-opening São Paulo E-Prix on December 7.
Powered by Porsche Motorsport’s twice world championship-winning technology, and driven by Dan Ticktum and David Beckmann, the team is ready to make its mark in the series. CUPRA is the unconventional challenger brand that inspires the world from Barcelona. Since its launch in 2018, CUPRA, the first new automotive brand created within the Volkswagen Group, has sold over 750,000 cars.
The automotive brand has experienced extensive success in its motorsport portfolio, which includes developing the world’s first 100% electric touring car, the e-Racer, alongside achievements in Extreme E and the FIA ETCR series. Kiro’s Co-Title Partnership with CUPRA aligns seamlessly with the Spanish brand’s commitment to electrification and performance.
In collaboration with the team, CUPRA will continue its journey in Formula E – the world’s fastest-growing form of motor racing, and the first sport with a certified net-zero carbon footprint since inception. In the upcoming 2024/25 season, Formula E is set to reach new heights in front of new audiences, with races in destinations including Monaco, Tokyo, Shanghai, Berlin, and London, and new events in Jeddah and Miami.
At the São Paulo E-Prix, CUPRA KIRO will race with a single-round livery, before revealing a bold, new visual identity at the Mexico City E-Prix in January 2025. Under the ownership of The Forest Road Company, CUPRA KIRO is committed to collaborating with industry leaders to elevate brands and businesses through its team and the FIA Formula E World Championship. The partnership with CUPRA marks the beginning of its strategic commercial endeavours, with many new relationships anticipated throughout Season 11 and beyond.
Jeremy Tarica, Managing Director, The Forest Road Company: “Welcoming CUPRA, a disruptive automotive brand, as our Co-Title Partner as part of a multi-year collaboration represents an incredible milestone for Kiro, especially at such an early stage in our Formula E journey. Our partnership starts in motorsport, but it extends far beyond it – it’s united by a shared belief in the desire to challenge the status quo by disrupting and leading change in our respective fields. We will start our new chapter together as CUPRA KIRO at this weekend’s São Paulo E-Prix, and I can’t begin to express my excitement on behalf of The Forest Road Company.”
Xavi Serra, Global Head of Racing, CUPRA: “Joining Kiro Race Co is the logical next step for CUPRA. By combining our technical know-how with the team, we are fully prepared to compete at the highest level. Our commitment to Formula E comes from our racing DNA, alongside the format’s ability to give us a competitive platform to develop the future of electric road cars.”
Alex Hui, Team Principal, CUPRA KIRO: “On behalf of Kiro Race Co, I’m delighted to welcome CUPRA as our Co-Title Partner for the 2024/25 season and beyond. Our partnership together marks a pivotal moment in our journey, and CUPRA’s bold, performance-driven mentality perfectly complements our ultimate ambition to one day race into history. Our story starts this weekend, and we’re looking forward to showcasing what CUPRA KIRO can achieve in São Paulo.”
Jon Wilde, Commercial Director, CUPRA KIRO: “Our multi-year Co-Title Partnership with CUPRA serves as the perfect endorsement of our vision and commitment to building strong commercial partnerships. It continues to show the growing appeal of Formula E as a platform for international brands to connect with an engaged global audience. With a 35% leap in TV viewership globally in its most recent season, Formula E is a true powerhouse in motorsport, with incredible momentum and immense growth potential. On a personal level, I’m very excited to watch our journey unfold together over the coming seasons as we strive towards achieving our long-term targets as a sports franchise.”
Nissan –