The all-female Kessel Racing crew supported by the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission at last weekend’s Gulf 12 Hours race in Abu Dhabi demonstrated their talent at one of the most prestigious endurance races in the region. Behind the wheel of their Ferrari 488 GT3 Manuela Gostner, Rahel Frey and Michelle Gatting claimed second in the GT3 Pro-Am category and sixth overall from a field of 33 cars competing at the Yas Marina circuit.

“This is a fantastic result from Manuela, Rahel and Michelle and they have once again demonstrated that female racers have the ability to succeed in a mixed racing environment,” said Michèle Mouton, President of the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission. “Kessel Racing presented a fantastic opportunity and, despite limited track time in the Ferrari before the event, Manuela, Rahel and Michelle have rewarded the faith the team had in them. This was a really serious entry with a top racing team and it is exactly what female racers need to prove themselves; my sincerest thanks to everyone at Kessel Racing for believing in them.”

This was also the first time the three racers teamed up, although Rahel and Michelle were both invited to the FIA’s first women drivers’ assessment programme in Navarra in August. “The Navarra assessment proved what we already knew; that there is a pool of talented drivers ready to take yet another step up the racing ladder,” added Michèle Mouton.  “Gathering concrete performance data from Navarra has put us in a stronger position with teams and manufacturers and I feel incredibly happy we are working with, and partnering some really professional organisations to provide great opportunities for women racers.”