Michelle Gatting, part of the Iron Dames project, has written her name into the history books today, becoming the first female to be crowned the overall champion of Ferrari Challenge Europe Trofeo Pirelli. Starting the race with a 29-point lead, Gatting managed to battle through a challenging race, much of it under safety car conditions, to bring her Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo home in P4 securing the championship despite the fact that there’s still one race left in the series this season.

Commenting on today’s victory, Iron Dames project leader, Deborah Mayer, said: “Michelle has driven impressively and consistently throughout the season.

“This is not only a major victory for Michelle and the Iron Dames, but it also marks a significant milestone for women in motorsport as this is the first time a woman has won this championship. Iron Dames are women driven by dreams and if you work hard it pays off, as demonstrated by Michelle with today’s achievement.”

Commenting on her title Michelle Gatting said: “I am over-the-moon at today’s result, we are the champions. I am super pleased with how the car and the team have performed throughout the whole season and I am of course humbled to be the first female driver to be champion of the series. I think this is a very important step for women in motorsport. The race itself was a bit disappointing due to the number of times the safety car was out but it was important that we brought the car home today. Tomorrow we are going to go for it, and I am going full attack without doubt.”

Michelle Gatting will be back on track tomorrow at Mugello for the final race of the season for the Trofeo Pirelli, racing alongside teammates Doriane Pin and Arno Dahlmeyer. Iron Lynx driver Claudio Schiavoni will also be racing in the final round of Ferrari Challenge Europe Coppa Shell in Mugello tomorrow and Michelle will be taking part in the Ferrari Challenge World Champion race on Sunday fighting for the world champion title.