Celia Martin will be promoted to the main Iron Dames squad next year, prompting a driver reshuffle for the FIA World Endurance Championship team. More changes could follow, including a potential switch in team and manufacturer.
The team’s current driver lineup of Sarah Bovy, Rahel Frey and Michelle Gatting has been stable for a few seasons now. However, changes in Bovy’s driver rating for 2025 means the team have needed to find a new bronze-rated driver.
Bovy has successfully appealed an upgrade to silver for the past two seasons. However, with some superb performances this year, another year at bronze wasn’t possible.
Next year, Sarah Bovy will hold a silver rating alongside gold-rated Michelle Gatting, with Celia Martin joining the team as the new bronze-rated driver. To race in LMGT3, each team must field at least one bronze-rated driver, with no platinum-rated drivers allowed.
Frey, meanwhile, will complete in select events. The Dames will race in at least three series — the IMSA Sportscar Championship, WEC, and the European Le Mans Series, racing in 20+ events over the year.
More changes for Iron Dames on the horizon
Another likely change for 2025 is the switch to Porsche machinery, run by the Manthey team, next year. Switch their debut the Iron Dames squad has been run by Iron Lynx, owned by DC Racing Solutions, but 2025 is likely to see a switch to Manthey and Porsche, in WEC and ELMS. Reports say Proton will run the Iron Dames squad in IMSA.
The team have struggled with Lamborghini machinery this year, facing numerous challenges including reliability issues and pit stop problems compounding to a miserable year in FIA WEC. Although Bovy took two poles, the team recorded no podiums during the year across the eight races.
Statement from the team on Martin’s promotion
A statement supplied from the team as seen by Sportscar365 read:
“The FIA’s recent announcement of driver classifications for the forthcoming endurance season brought exciting news for the Iron Dames project, not least the Silver status achieved by Sarah Bovy.
“This progression highlights Sarah’s impressive growth and achievements throughout the 2024 season, reflecting the experience gained and hard work she has put in both on and off the track.
“Sarah will continue to contribute at the highest level of endurance racing in the iconic Iron Dames colors.
“Sarah’s Silver classification is not only a personal achievement, but another milestone for the project as a whole.
“Her journey with the program underlines its effectiveness as a supportive environment for talented female drivers to reach their full potential and pursue the career of their dreams.”
“As the Iron Dames continue to evolve, this move opens the door for other promising drivers within the Iron Dames family and so, French driver Celia Martin will step into the position of Bronze driver for the team.
“Celia has shown great promise in Michelin Le Mans Cup this year and will contribute to the Iron Dames’ successes next season alongside Michelle Gatting, Rahel Frey and Sarah Bovy.”
