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Correction: The opening of this story has been altered to address the fact Iron Dames may still race in other non-sportscar series in 2026. We apologise for the mistake made.
Multiple media reports were published last week suggesting that the Iron Dames programme would be scaled back next year, with only the FIA World Endurance Championship campaign continuing next year out the major sportscar series the programme has been involved in over the last few years.
Iron Dames said in a statement to Only Endurance that they remain committed to the programme's aims.
'Iron Dames remains fully committed to its long-term vision, with FIA WEC as a founding pillar', said a team spokesperson.
It's been suggested that, in light of financial issues that Iron Dames' parent company, DC Racing Solutions, is currently facing, the Iron Dames team would only race in WEC in 2026, and no longer in European Le Mans Series, IMSA Sportscars Championship, or the Le Mans Cup.
This would mean the team's programmes in all three championships could all be cut.
The spokesperson further indicated further news about next year's racing activities for the Iron Dames will be officially announced next month.
'We expect to announce part of our 2026 plans in November, with further updates to follow in due course,' finished the statement.
WEC campaign
The Iron Dames programme became completely independent from its sibling team, Iron Lynx, for this year. While the two have always raced in tandem together, for 2025 they split, with Iron Dames now being run by Manthey Racing in Porsche machinery, and Iron Lynx taking on the Mercedes-AMG programme in WEC.
Mohammed Rehman
However, results have not been forthcoming in the world championship for the female squad, with a best result of fourth at the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo, held in Brazil at Interlagos.
In the ELMS, the team have taken a win, at the opening race of the season, the 4 Hours of Barcelona. They took an additional podium, a third place finish, at the season-ending 4 Hours of Portimao.
And in IMSA, they only raced in two races, Daytona and Sebring, out of a planned five-race Endurance Cup campaign. The team withdraw from the 6 Hours of The Glen after driver Michelle Gatting's foot was injured at Le Mans, but they did not return for the Battle on the Bricks at Indianapolis, or Petit Le Mans to end the season.
Money troubles?
The trouble Iron Dames and the rest of the DC Racing Solutions teams are facing is one of money, it would seem.
The company is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with former partner Lamborghini over the Italian manufacturer stealing confidential steering wheel software from DC Racing Solutions, when the team ran Lamborghini's factory Hypercar programme in 2024.
Phil Oakley
To that end, team co-owner Deborah Mayer has sold her 41-strong car collection, which contained multiple road and track machines from Ferrari, Pagani, Mercedes and more.
It's also been reported that the company has put its Prema IndyCar team up for sale, with a reported price of $25 million.
Whatever happens, fans around the world will be hoping the Iron Dames programme continues in 2026 as the team maintains their important efforts of boosting the female presence in motorsport.
Feature image: DPPI / WEC
