The Iron Dames have confirmed they will not be racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2026.
In a statement posted on their social media channels, the fan-favourite all-female crew is set to be absent from the GT-classes for the first time since 2021.
The programme made headlines in only its second year of competition by scoring a maiden GTE AM podium at Monza in 2022, and a year later becoming the first all-female crew to score a class victory in the series at the 8H Bahrain.
Since the switch to LMGT3 the team have failed to make the same impact that saw them finish runners-up in the GTE AM standings in 2023, and over the 16 races have failed to tally a single visit to the podium.
Much speculation has swirled in recent months over the health of the Deborah Mayer-led organisation, and the financial stability of the programme, which was stirred by the sale of Mayer and Claudio Schiavoni's private car collection.
The WEC absence follows in the footsteps of their withdrawal from IMSA competition, where the team sat out the 6H Watkins Glen owing to Michelle Gatting's foot injury from the 24H Le Mans test day, but the popular pink Porsche never returned.
"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," the statement read.
"It’s a change by design — one that strengthens our long-term vision.
This is the next step forward of a performance-driven project that never stops evolving and redefining the norm.
"Since 2021 in FIA WEC, the Iron Dames have stood at the summit of world endurance racing — proving that talent has no gender, that determination moves mountains, and that women belong on the biggest stage of motorsport.
"As the only all-female line-up for five seasons, we didn’t just take part — we reshaped the narrative and left a cultural mark, with unforgettable moments like the historic Bahrain victory in 2023.
"Racing is our ground, our drive, and still one of our strongest frontiers — and 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."
It remains to be seen whether the Iron Dames will feature in GT3 competition next year, with a continuation of their ELMS programme a priority after finishing fourth in the 2025 championship.
The Iron Lynx name looks set to continue in the WEC, with growing support from Mercedes-AMG and financial backing from Bronze drivers Martin Berry and Andrew Gilbert.
In the place of Iron Dames, the Manthey-run Porsche LMGT3 entries in the WEC look to take on a new look with wholesale changes across the two cars.