Iron Dames driver Celia Martin described her newfound excitement for her FIA World Endurance Championship debut at the Qatar season-opener.
“It’s my first time here in Qatar, in FIA WEC and with Manthey so there are a lot of firsts for me,” she said having contested the Le Mans Cup last year for the Iron Dames.
“I’m so impressed with everything. It feels like the first day at school.
“It’s a good feeling to be around all of these experienced people.
“I made good progress in understanding the car as the Prologue continued.
“There are many things which are new for me, which I am trying to get used to.
“I am also getting more confident in the car, which is the most important thing for the race.
“The girls are also doing a good job to keep improving and working on the car.”
The #85 Porsche 911 LMGT3.R will be driven by team regulars Rahel Frey and Michelle Gatting – who both drove at the Iron Dames’ Le Mans event debut in 2019 – along with Martin for the upcoming eight-round campaign.
Gatting’s honest expectations for the Qatar 1812km
Speaking to Motorsport Week after the official pre-season test, Gatting said:
“It’s nice to be here this year in a Porsche. Last year we were here with the Lambo and I definitely prefer to be here in a Porsche, I have to admit.
“… For sure we’re running behind the other cars quite a lot. This is no secret, we knew from last year what Porsche showed that they could not arrive with the same kind of pace for the first race.
“So we are running a little bit behind the others, which is okay.
“We will try to find another strategy to try and manage it.
“But we know that the first race of the season is probably not going to be us standing on top of the podium.”
The Qatar 1812 km on 28 February will continue the action at the Lusail International Circuit.
Most notably, the Iron Dames already begun their partnership with Porsche not only in last year’s European Le Mans Series season with Proton Racing, but also during the 2024/25 Asian Le Mans Series.
Track action for the WEC opener for the 10-hour race will commence with a 90-minute Free Practice 1 session on Wednesday 26 February from 11.30am local time/8.30am UTC.
READ MORE: Celia Martin on her ’emotional’ first season with the Iron Dames
