Michelle Gatting (Iron Dames) : "Pace is there"

The Iron Dames programme is now well established in the world of motorsport. Ferrari Challenge, Fanatec GT World Challenge, WEC ... the team managed by the Piccini brothers has a large programme, which is also very successful with the Iron Dames.

While Frenchwoman Doriane Pin shines in the Ferrari Challenge, Michelle Gatting has already won the series in Trofeo Pirelli in 2021, thus validating the Iron Lynx structure's focus on women. This is the first step in the renewal of the Danish driver's career, which began, as for many, with karting, but in an unexpected way.

" Very often, stories start with a grandfather or a father involved in motorsport, explains Michelle Gatting in the Le Mans paddock. This was not the case for me at all. I actually tried karting on holiday in France when I was seven. There was a track near our hotel and my sister and I went to try it.

It was really a coincidence. For the record, the karting track had the Ferrari logo with the number one. I then told my parents that I wanted to try again when we got home. That's how it started.

I wanted to go into single-seaters at first. But I soon realised that my parents wouldn't be able to finance my racing, so I took a different route, with touring cars in the Scirocco Cup and then the Porsche Carrera Cup.

I had always heard about Le Mans, because of course we have a few drivers in Denmark with a certain track record! And I wanted a real programme.

With the Iron Dames project, with the first test of the GT3, it was a golden opportunity, the opportunity of a lifetime. So it's incredible for me to be here for the fourth time with Ferrari at Le Mans."

Progressing with ambition

Michelle Gatting, who is competing in a triple programme this year between WEC, ELMS and Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe with Rahel Frey and Sarah Bovy, returns to the 24 Hours of Le Mans after a campaign marked by ups and downs.

After a fifth place in the GTE-Am at Sebring, the Dane was forced to miss the Spa event due to Covid.

" At Sebring we finished as the best Ferrari, but the 488 lacked pace, which is a shame because the test went really well and we had real expectations, says the Dane. Especially since Sebring is a track where you need a lot of experience. From the first few laps everyone had a good feeling with the car.

The aim was to be the best Ferrari and that's what we did. Sarah and I then missed Spa because of the Covid. To sum up, I think the pace has been there since the beginning of the season and the absence at Spa will not penalise me because the 24 Hours is a totally different race to the rest of the season.

In addition, we scored our first podium in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe last week at Paul Ricard (2nd in the Gold Cup), which is what we needed and what motivates us all before coming here."

These results speak in favour of the Iron Dames programme, a real example for young girls wishing to get involved in motor sport and to break the still predominantly male image of motor sport.

" My Ferrari Challenge Europe title was an important step in my career, for the team and for the Iron Dames project, and it was good to show that we are capable of winning races and championships, says Michelle Gatting. It's a good start, but the mindset hasn't changed yet. We need more wins and championships to do that. It will take time, but the Iron Dames project is now well known."