Iron Dames forced to change trio for second year running at Le Mans
With the withdrawal of Michelle Gatting, Iron Dames has had to change its plans for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This brings us back to a similar situation in 2024.
Le Mans doesn’t really bring luck to the Iron Dames. In just 48 hours, the all-female team experienced two setbacks. The first: Vanina Ickx’s withdrawal in Road to Le Mans, which will prevent the team from participating in the race. Then the injury of Michelle Gatting on Sunday, June 8th, during the test day, this time for the World Endurance Championship race.
The Danish driver fractured her foot during a driver change at the very end of the day. Faced with this new withdrawal, the Iron Dames’ management had to urgently call Sarah Bovy. The Belgian hasn’t driven in the WEC since the final of the previous season in Bahrain.
Due to this unforeseen event, she will have to wear her teammate’s suit, with a sticker displaying her name instead of Michelle Gatting’s.
This situation recalls a rather painful episode from 2024. Hired to participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Doriane Pin had to withdraw shortly before the race week due to a rib fracture. The young Frenchwoman was then replaced by Rahel Frey. The Swiss driver is the most experienced in Sarthe among the members of the Iron Dames. She was participating in her sixth Le Mans classic there.
