Iron Dames announce they will not take part in WEC in 2026

Credit: Porsche Newsroom

In an Instagram post on Thursday afternoon, the Iron Dames team have announced that they will not compete in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2026. The only all female crew in the series have competed in the series since 2021.

"The FIA WEC entry list will be revealed soon — and when it is, you won’t see a Porsche entry under the Iron Dames banner" announced the team on Instagram. "This is the next step forward of a performance-driven project that never stops evolving and redefining the norm."

The exit comes after much speculation about the teams future, as it goes through a time of financial struggles.

The team go on to confirm that they will still compete in other series around the world. "yes — we’ll be on many racetracks in 2026, Dames and young talents further strengthening the future of the project. The Iron Dames spirit has never lived on one grid only."

The trio of Célia Martin, Rahel Frey and Michelle Gatting just completed the teams worst season in the WEC in Bahrain a few weeks ago, 17th in the LMGT3 standings when it was all said and done.

The teams only win in Bahrain in 2023 still stands as a historic landmark for women in motorsports. The Iron Dames team also depart the WEC series as the only team to have ever won on every step of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest's (ACO's) ladder - WEC, European Le Mans Series (ELMS), Le Mans Cup (LMC) and the Ligier European Series.

The exit also leaves a gap for an extra Porsche 911 GT3 R to be present on the WEC grid for next season. The championship winning Manthey 1st Phorm Porsche seems likely to be on the grid next season, however it is unclear who will run the second entry, if there will be one at all.

The official WEC entry list is expected to be released in the coming weeks.