Gatting explains freak pitlane incident that forced her out of Le Mans 24 Hours

Iron Dames driver Michelle Gatting has explained the freak pitlane incident during the Le Mans 24 Hours Test Day that left her with a broken foot and unable to race.

Gatting was due to be the gold-rated driver among the all-female Iron Dames Porsche 911 GT3 R line-up but will now be replaced by Silver-graded Sarah Bovy, who had stepped away from competing in the World Endurance Championship this season.

Gatting revealed that what was supposed to be a regular driver change turned into disaster amid a congested pitlane following a red flag.

“I didn’t park correctly because we had the sister car in front and we had the Alpine right behind so I knew the parking position was a bit off,” Gatting told Autosport.

“So we had to put the car up on skates and we had to move it a bit and we did all the procedures in a very easy, calm way – there was no stress from anyone. 

“When I went out of the car, I saw Rahel [Frey, team-mate] was not next to me to do the driver change so I looked around for her and, in that moment, unfortunately the team dropped the car and it landed on my foot. It was pure bad luck, nobody to blame. 

“I’ve done hundreds, if not thousands, of driver changes in my career – I’ve done most of them together with Rahel – so it’s just a very unlucky bad situation. 

“I’ve spoken to a lot of drivers in the paddock that when it happened to them before, some of them, it just landed on the toe but unfortunately it was really the chassis that hit right in the middle of my foot and it broke my foot in three places.”

Gatting said she “did try to convince the team I could still drive, but they’re not so convinced!” and instead team boss Bovy has been drafted in to share the LMGT3 Porsche with Frey and Celia Martin. 

The Dane added she was particularly devastated to miss out on this year’s race because of “new motivation” she had following the team’s switch to Porsche machinery this year, having tackled the 2024 edition with a Lamborghini Huracan.

“Being a newly-signed Porsche driver, I knew I was going to Le Mans with the best Porsche team you could go to Le Mans with so it kept me so motivated to be extra prepared,” she added. 

“I tried to become as light as possible and I’ve never been lighter going into this Le Mans. I was really ready for this one so, for sure, it hurts even more. 

#85 Iron Dames Porsche 911 GT3 R LMGT3: Celia Martin, Rahel Frey, Michelle Gatting

Photo by: Rainier Ehrhardt

“Today, when I woke up, I realised I lost a huge opportunity. I’m missing a big chance.”

The Iron Dames crew finished fifth in class in last year’s 24 Hours and Gatting admitted “I don’t know if I could ever get over” missing out should the team secure a top result this time around.

She is targeting a return to action at the Imola round of the European Le Mans Series, which takes place on 6 July.

Gatting, Bovy and Martin currently head the ELMS LMGT3 standings and she is determined to continue to fight for the title.