The European Le Mans Series saw a number of storylines emerging from an interesting week at Paul Ricard. One of them was, undoubtedly, the competitiveness of the all-female #83 Kessel Racing Ferrari crew of Manuela Gostner, Rahel Frey and Michelle Gatting, the trio coming home in a fighting second position to a dominant Luzich Racing Ferrari which featured the talents of the reigning World GT Champion Alessandro Pier Guidi.

More amazing still was the revelation post-race that Michelle Gatting, defending a big lead to the flag from a charging Matteo Cairoli, came home still 12 seconds clear but had been nursing a deflating tyre for the final three laps!

All three drivers performed well, with Rahel Frey’s pace in particular impressing, making her way through the field and into podium contention, and with Gatting mounting an excellent late-race drive to defend the gap.

The crew will be going to Le Mans this year, courtesy of an initiative announced last year at the Le Mans 24 Hours, the challenge was to find a competitive all-female line-up and Kessel Racing stepped ups to the plate, approaching the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission for guidance, and finding a very willing sponsor in President and motorsport legend, Michelle Mouton, that secured the coveted place on the Le Mans grid, the entry coming with the seal of approval of the FIA.

And Mouton was at Paul Ricard to see the crew compete in a GTE car together for the first time, this after the trio finished second in class together in a GT3 Kessel Ferrari at last year’s Gulf 12 Hours in Abu Dhabi:

“This was an amazing result, fantastic.”

The first time we have had an all-female crew on an ACO rules podium since your class win at Le Mans in 1975?

“Really? Honestly, I don’t know but I think this result is much more important, it’s the first time that women of this level of professionalism have been given an opportunity to compete in this series in such a good team and in a field of such quality.

“I’m delighted that they went out there, did their job and showed that they could do it, that they could compete, and do well on their own merits.”

And they did it in their first race in a GTE car, a bigger challenge than a GT3 car?

“Yes, they did the job, I had no doubt that they would, but, of course, it is great to see such a positive result. The most difficult thing is to get the same material as the rest of the field, now they have that they are showing that they can compete.

“I am so thankful for Kessel for providing the opportunity, to show that this is possible, I hope it encourages more, and that we see more success through the season, it’s quite a day!

“This is a dream come true for the mission and objectives of the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission. For nearly 10 years we have been working to promote the place of women in our sport and to try and open doors that will give female racers equal opportunities to demonstrate they have the talent to compete at the highest level.”

Michelle Gatting: “I guess I feel relieved. At the end of the day, this is what we hoped and dreamed for. That it has happened is a bit of a surprise for everybody. We always aimed to be on the podium and it happened. It was a wonderful strategy from Kessel Racing, all the work we put in for the pitstops and the driver changes really paid off and the car was fantastic until the last three laps. It was difficult with the puncture I had at the rear but the car was amazing. This is only thanks to the team and to the two girls. Everybody did a great job, this paid off and this is why we ended where we ended.”

Manuela Gostner: “There is nothing really to add, Michelle said it perfectly. This result is because of our great teamwork. This is for everybody who is supporting us and working with us. In the end, we have a big result.”

Rahel Frey: “This is amazing because we spoke about getting on the podium, which was the target of the year. But we actually want to build up to it; we didn’t expect it to happen so quickly. I think we are just so happy. This is the best moment to say thank you to the whole crew at Kessel Racing and the FIA Women in Motorsport because it is brilliant to have Michele Mouton and Cathy Muller here. To perform so well in front of them makes me proud. So thanks very much to everybody”.

Paul Ricard pics copyright JEP/ ELMS