This weekend 2023 F1 Academy Champion Marta Garcia Lopez will make her Michelin Le Mans Cup debut with Iron Dames at her home event at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
The 24-year-old from Dénia on Spain’s Mediterranean coast is racing the no83 Porsche 911 GT3 R alongside 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps class winner Vanina Ickx, who is also the daughter of 24 Hours of Le Mans legend Jacky Ickx.
Marta took her first steps in endurance last year with Iron Dame, competing at Spa-Francorchamps and Portimao in the Ligier European Series, winning two of the four races which will help her transition to the next stage this weekend in Barcelona.
Now Marta has taken the next step, moving up to the Michelin Le Mans Cup to challenge for the title in GT3.
Q. Why have you chosen to move to endurance racing?
Marta Garcia: “My journey in single-seaters has been incredible, especially winning the 2023 F1 Academy with Prema Racing. However, endurance racing presents a new and exciting challenge.
“The dynamics are completely different, racing with a teammate, managing stints, strategy, and adapting to varying track conditions over longer races. I’ve always been drawn to pushing myself in new ways, and endurance racing offers that opportunity. Plus, being part of the Iron Dames project, which promotes female talent in motorsport, makes this transition even more meaningful.”
Q: How has the Ligier European Series helped prepare you for the MLMC this season?
MG: “Competing in the Ligier European Series with Iron Dames was a step for me and it gave me some experience to face this new challenge. It allowed me to gain experience in kind of endurance racing, learning about multi-class traffic management, and racing in a completely different type of car than single-seaters.
“Winning in Spa and Portimão gave me confidence, and those experiences will definitely help as I take on the Michelin Le Mans Cup this season.”
Q: How well did you know Vanina Ickx before this season, and how important is her experience going to be for you and the Iron Dames team?
MG: “Before this season, I knew about Vanina’s incredible career and experience in endurance racing, but working alongside her is a fantastic opportunity. She has a wealth of knowledge. Having her as a teammate is going to be valuable for my learning process, and I’m excited to absorb as much as I can from her expertise. I think we’ll make a strong team for Iron Dames.”
Q: How important has your inclusion in the Iron Dames programme been to your career?
MG: “Being part of Iron Dames is a huge opportunity. It’s a programme that has been paving the way for women in motorsport, and I’m proud to represent it. They provide not just a competitive environment but also a support system that helps female drivers grow in racing.
“It’s inspiring to be surrounded by talented women who are breaking barriers, and I hope to contribute to the team’s continued success.”
Q: Are you looking forward to making your MLMC debut in front of the Spanish fans, and what are your thoughts on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya? Do you have a favourite corner?
MG: “Absolutely, racing at home in Spain is always special, and I’m really excited to make my MLMC debut in front of Spanish fans.
“The Circuit Barcelona Catalunya is a track I know well from my single-seater days, and I love its technical challenges. If I had to pick a favorite corner, I’d say T7 it’s an uphill medium speed corner, quite cool to experience - precision is key, and it always feels great to nail it perfectly.
“I can’t wait to hit the track in the first week of April.”
