
They might have narrowly missed out on a top three finish in the Rolex 6 Hours of São Paulo earlier this month, but buoyed by their finest display of the season to-date, the Iron Dames are convinced a return to the FIA World Endurance Championship rostrum is not far away.
After advancing to the Hyperpole top ten shootout for the first time in 2025 courtesy of a solid performance by Célia Martin, Rahel Frey went on to secure seventh on the LMGT3 class grid behind the wheel of the distinctive #85 Porsche 911 GT3 R.
The following day, FIA WEC rookie Martin exploited a strong turn-of-speed and a clever pit-stop strategy to climb to fourth during her double stint at the start of the race around the Brazilian Grand Prix-hosting Autódromo José Carlos Pace.
Frey then picked up the mantle two hours in, rejoining the track in fifth and maintaining her team-mate’s momentum. After deftly relieving the #33 TF Sport Corvette of fourth, she caught and passed the #61 Iron Lynx Mercedes, which she out-dragged for third at a Full Course Yellow (FCY) re-start.
The Swiss star’s next target was Yuichi Nakayama, whose #78 Akkodis ASP Team Lexus she boldly despatched just over three-and-a-half hours in to rise to second. When Michelle Gatting took over for the final two hours, the podium was solidly in sight.
The Dane may have been moving around on crutches outside of the car after sustaining foot fractures in the build-up to June’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, but inside the cockpit, Gatting unleashed a characteristically gritty effort. While a drive-through penalty for accelerating too early at the end of a FCY period dropped her to sixth, the 31-year-old’s pace and energy advantage kept the Iron Dames in the hunt for a champagne celebration.
Despite putting up a valiant defence against rivals on fresher Goodyear tyres, however, Gatting ultimately had to give best to Charlie Eastwood and home hero Eduardo Barrichello in the closing stages, taking the chequered flag fourth following a pulsating conclusion to the fifth round of the FIA WEC campaign.
“Unfortunately, I made a mistake that cost us our first podium in FIA WEC alongside Manthey,” rued the official Porsche-contracted driver. “While fighting for second, I misjudged the release of the Full Course Yellow and was penalised for it. I take full responsibility for the error.
“In motorsport, we win and lose as a team, and on this occasion, the fault was mine. I sincerely apologise to my team-mates and the entire team. Now, it’s time to recharge, refocus and come back stronger after the break.”
Indeed, notwithstanding the disappointment of falling less than 1.5 seconds short of a rostrum result, the Iron Dames’ best finish since returning to Porsche machinery for 2025 has sent them into the summer hiatus brimful of optimism for the second half of the season.
“It’s bittersweet, because we definitely had the potential for more than fourth place,” echoed Frey. “Since Le Mans, we’ve gained momentum and we had pace throughout the race but unfortunately, we weren’t faultless. We’ll keep on working hard and keep on pushing. I’m happy with the team’s performance and we were so close to the podium. Next time, we’re going to make it!”
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