The Iron Lady and the Beast

For sure, Michelle Gatting can make history. She has already done it twice. In 2021, for example. She was the first woman to win the Ferrari Challenge Europe Trofeo Pirelli. Two years later, the stage became even bigger: together with the Iron Dames and her colleagues Sarah Bovy and Rahel Frey, she was part of the first women's team to win a race in the FIA World Endurance Championship - in this case the LMGTE-Am class. That the 33-year-old has stood on the podium more than 60 times in more than 200 races? It's almost logical then. Before she and her Rutronik Racing team return to racing action at the 24 Hours of Spa, she was a guest at the Formula E in Berlin. And there she met a car that made history in 2018: the 911 RSR in the legendary "Sau" design.

We are here in Berlin and are looking at one of the most legendary and eccentric cars in Porsche history: the "Sau". What was your first thought when you learnt that you would be driving the 911 RSR here in this special livery?

I didn't have to think about it for long. I'm currently driving the 911 GT3 R, but I had the pleasure of contesting a full season in the RSR. It's already a legendary car. But this livery takes it to another level. That makes me very proud.

Do you remember the first time you consciously recognised this design?

It was many years ago. I saw it in pictures as a child. The design is much older than me. Even back then, I thought the shape of the car was special, the paintwork anyway. At first you ask yourself: Is that really a pig? Is it really supposed to be like that? But that's exactly what makes it an icon. When the design returned on the 911 RSR at Le Mans in 2018, I thought it fitted even better. The car has this round, almost fat shape - it fits perfectly.

Should there be more historic designs like this in Formula E?

Absolutely. Formula E is still a relatively young series. That's why it's nice to bring a bit of history into it. Porsche has one of the longest and most successful motorsport histories ever. I hope that other brands will be inspired by this and bring their their history as well.

How did you actually get into motorsport?

I was seven when I sat in a go-kart for the first time - on holiday in the south of France. There was a small go-kart track next to our hotel. I knew immediately: I want to do that again. Back in Denmark, my parents my parents found a go-kart track and I went every Sunday. It wasn't anything special, it was a pretty run-down place - but I had the best time of my life. By the age of eleven, I was already racing in Holland and Belgium, with a special licence. My family did everything they could to support my dream. In 2019, I finally finally drove my first 24-hour race at Le Mans. It has took a long time, but today I'm a professional.

If you could imagine yourself back in the 1970s: How would you have fared as a driver back then?

Of course, it was a different time, extremely physically demanding. But I think I would have come out on top. I drove a lot of old 911s cars, even at the limit, against big names. These cars are much much harder to drive, it depends much more on the performance of the driver. I like that. So, if I had the chance to drive a 917 in the in the 1970s? Why not! I'm always up for a challenge.

Do you see yourself as a role model?

More than before. With the "Iron Dames" project, we have changed the perspective of many people. When a four-year-old girl stands in front of you at Le Mans and looks at you as if you were Michael Schumacher, then you know you've done something right. I hope we inspire young girls to want to be the next "Iron Dames". 

Did you have any role models of your own?

Michael Schumacher. As an eleven-year-old, I was interviewed on Danish TV and said on television: "I'm going to be the next Michael Schumacher - only female." Then last year in the WEC I met Mick Schumacher. I am never have a fixation with stars. But in this case it was different. He looks so much like his father. He was incredibly nice to me and we have become good friends. 

You took class victory with the 911 RSR in the 2023 WEC race in Bahrain. What makes this car so special?

The RSR is a beast. The sound is so pure and loud - when you drive behind it, you can no longer hear your own car. When we switched from Ferrari to Porsche, it clicked immediately. The car felt as if it had been built for me. It feels like it's on rails and always remains controllable. With other brands, I sometimes had the feeling that the car controlled me more than I controlled the car. In the 911 RSR, on the other hand, I could drive for hours without getting tired.

→ To the PUMA x Porsche Legacy  "Sau" collection