SURVIVING MIXED CONDITIONS AT PAUL RICARD

Michelle Gatting, Sarah Bovy and Célia Martin were back in action for Round 2 of ELMS, with Marta García and Vanina Ickx also on track at Le Castellet in Michelin Le Mans Cup.

Célia Martin got proceedings underway from sixth, but struggled for grip on a wet track dropping down to 13th on the first tour. An early Safety Car period allowed her to regain some of that lost ground and, on the restart, Célia pounced for 10th into Turn 1.

While others pitted for wet tyres, Célia held her nerve and vaulted up to second. At the end of the first hour, she began to slip back into the clutches of the pack, so opted to pit for wets. Having rejoined in 12th, the rain intensified through the second hour and Célia climbed back up to sixth.

With an hour and 50 minutes remaining, Célia handed over to Sarah Bovy who rejoined in 10th. Sarah managed to move into eighth and hold position during a Safety Car restart. With 55 minutes to go and the track finally dry, Michelle Gatting took the reins, gaining a position from eighth to seventh before taking the chequered flag.

RESULTS

Michelle, Sarah and Celia: 7th (LMGT3)

“That’s the second ELMS race in the books. We were in the points which was our main target this weekend. My stint was the first time I’d driven in those conditions in a GT3 and I’m very happy with the experience I gained from it. I was apprehensive about slicks in wet conditions, but I ended up liking it a lot. It was still difficult, but I managed to bring the car back without any problems. The only issue I had was the contact on Lap 1 which meant we were coming back from last which cost us time. We’ll take the points and move onto Imola.”

Célia Martin

YOUR STICKERS, OUR CAR

Watch Michelle, Sarah and Célia apply fan-inspired stickers to the Iron Dames Porsche.

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