Iron Dames advance to WEC Hyperpole for the first time in 2025

Iron Dames achieved their best qualifying result of the FIA WEC season as they advanced to the Hyperpole session for the first time, thanks to a strong performance from Célia Martin and then Rahel Frey during qualifying at the 6 Hours of São Paulo.

Photo credits: Porsche AG

Iron Dames achieved their best qualifying result of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship season as they advanced to the Hyperpole session for the first time, thanks to a strong performance from bronze-rated driver Célia Martin during qualifying at the 6 Hours of São Paulo.

Martin was entrusted with the opening segment of qualifying, where bronze drivers contest the first phase. She delivered a solid lap to go ninth fastest, with a time of 1:35.327 on her fourth timed lap. She then returned to the pits, hopeful that her time would hold up. As the session progressed, her efforts proved just enough to secure a place in the top ten and thus advance to Hyperpole—a first for the Iron Dames this season.

Silver-rated driver Rahel Frey took over for the second qualifying segment on new tyres and immediately placed the #85 Porsche 911 GT3 RS R sixth, with a 1:34.433. She went for another flying lap and came close to improving, but couldn’t quite find more time.

As both United Autosports McLarens improved, Frey eventually slipped to seventh before bringing the car back to the pits.

With a remarkable effort from both drivers, the result marked the best qualifying performance of the year so far for the all-female Iron Dames crew in WEC. They will line up P7 on the grid for Sunday’s 6 Hours of São Paulo, the fifth round of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship.