Hello, Deborah. First of all, a quick word about this new partnership between Iron Dames and TotalEnergies for the 93rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans
The partnership marks an important stage: two entities committed to performance, innovation and inclusion come together to inspire and send out a strong message, especially to future generations of women.
Tell us about your professional and sporting career. Where does your passion for motor racing come from?
My background is in finance and entrepreneurship, but my love of driving and competition led me naturally to become interested in motorsport. I see the sport as upholding strong values: passion, high standards, pushing yourself to the limit and precision. The Iron Dames project was born of this passion, but it also stemmed from my deeply held desire to help others to believe in their dreams and to make them come true.
You formed the Iron Dames team in 2018. How did the project come about and what are its goals?
Iron Dames was born out of passion and based on my personal experience and the desire to create a framework of excellence for women in settings traditionally perceived to be masculine. The idea wasn't to be different per se, but rather to show that talent has nothing to do with gender. The project aims to support ambitious, passionate women in reaching elite-level competition and to set an example to future generations of women.
Iron Dames has developed in other categories: Endurance, Rallying, Karting, single-seater racing, etc.
We now support some 30 competitors, between 10 and 50 years old and representing 15 nationalities. They compete on behalf of the team in most of the motor racing categories – Karting, Endurance, single-seater racing, Rallying – and now in equestrian events too. There are also tens of women with key responsibilities in off-track positions. We have adopted a global and structured approach, tied to a long-term vision.
Iron Dames is involved in motorsport but also in equestrianism, two sports where men and women are both able to compete in the same events.
Horse riding was my first passion, so I was delighted to be able to expand the project into this area when the opportunity arose. It made total sense, entirely in keeping with our positioning and our philosophy. The two sports are very similar in some ways, both relying on horsepower: one from mechanical engines and the other from actual living horses! The structure, and the approach to competition and to the sport are also very similar. It’s all about preparation, very long-term work, strategy and calculation and we approach all these aspects in the same way.
How do you recruit female competitors?
Recruitment is based above all on talent, but it’s also about personality and commitment to the values of the project. We’re not only looking for excellence and performance, we also want to convey strong values and create positivity within the group and within society. The next generation of women also has an essential role because they will establish the foundations for the future. We are looking to build long-term careers with us by supporting the transmission of knowledge and experience between generations. This is why, for example, we set up “Iron Dames Young Talents”, the purpose of which is to support aspiring female champions of the future as effectively as possible.
What do you see as the highlights of the last seven years, on and off the track?
In sporting terms, I would say the highlights were winning in the WEC at Bahrain in 2023, and winning at the 24 Hours of Spa in 2022, two historic firsts for an all-female line-up. The emotion of crossing the starting line at Le Mans – this year will be our seventh appearance – is a very special, moving experience every year. But aside from the competitive results, it’s the message that we convey that counts: the fact we are inspiring girls and young women to chase their dreams is a victory in itself.
More than being just another racing team, Iron Dames is now a brand and one with which a lot of women identify.
Seeing women all around the world identify with our competitors and seeing our pink colours adopted by a broad cross-section of the public proves that our message is heard way beyond the track. It’s a dimension taken by the project that can make us proud. Apart from the competitors, I like to say that everyone can be an Iron Dame, regardless of how old you are, what you are passionate about, what job you do, where you're from or what field you work in. We’re here to stay; it’s a long-term project and is part of an increasingly concrete social framework.
For this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, Iron Dames and TotalEnergies have signed a partnership agreement. How did the two parties come together?
It’s a great honour for the Iron Dames project to form a partnership with TotalEnergies, a global leader and genuine pioneer in Endurance racing. Their history and legacy in the WEC and at Le Mans speaks for itself. This partnership came about quite naturally, based on shared values, a shared commitment to progress and innovation, and the desire to have a positive impact on future generations of women.
What does TotalEnergies mean to you in the world of motorsport and what are the values conveyed by the company and shared by Iron Dames?
TotalEnergies is a major player in the energy sector. It is committed to technological innovation and the energy transition, focusing on diversity and youth in particular. It’s a company that places great store by technological excellence but is also capable of making strong social commitments. Together, we want to show that with right level of passion, commitment and energy, there are no limits to what can be achieved.
Can you tell us briefly about the “Every Dream Matters” project at the 24 Hours of Le Mans?
This project is central to our approach. It is aimed at all those who have a dream but doubt that they will be able to make it come true. Through “Every Dream Matters”, we want to say to them: go for it, dare to try and never give up. This is a message we convey on and off the track. And thanks to TotalEnergies, we are going to be able to take it even further.
What are the goals of the Iron Dames team at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans?
From a sporting point of view, the target is clear: be competitive and aim for a podium finish. But our goals go beyond what happens in the race. We want to keep proving that everything is possible, keep sending out a strong message of hope and determination, and show that sport can also be a driver of change. With TotalEnergies, we are not competing only for the result, but also for a future where there are no limits to talent, where passion opens up doors and dreams are there to be grabbed.
