The second half of the season gets underway next month at the awesome 7km Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps with Sarah Bovy looking forward to her home race.
The Iron Dames Porsche has been at the sharp end of the grid for the first three races, with Célia Martin, Sarah Bovy and Michelle Gatting winning the opening round in Barcelona and securing points scoring finishes in Le Castellet and Imola. The team head to Belgium third in the standings, just six points behind the leaders with three races to go.
We caught up with Sarah Bovy to discuss the season so far, her transition from bronze to silver graded driver and the expectations at her home race at Spa-Francorchamps next month.
Q1. The season started well in Barcelona with a win, but the luck hasn’t been with the team in Le Castellet and Imola. However, you are still just six points off the championship lead at the halfway point of the season. How would you sum up the season so far?
Sarah Bovy: “It's true that we started on the high, but we know that in a championship like the ELMS, the most important is consistency.It's true that in Le Castellet, we finished P7 with the weather that didn't turn to be our best friend.
“In Imola, we had an unfortunate incident, and that's why we lost a great opportunity while we were leading the race. But I think the very positive things is that we are competitive every race.
“We have a good lineup, and we know that everything is still possible. We are indeed not very far from the lead of the championship. The tracks that are coming next, Spa, Silverstone and Portimao, are all three very cool tracks where I'm sure that we can be super competitive, like we've been in the past.
“So, I would say, all in all, I see it as a very positive start of the season, full of possibilities, and I look forward to keep going further.”
Q2. Last season you were the bronze driver in the squad and now you’re the silver.How has that change in status changed the way you approach the races?
SB: “Indeed, that's a big difference for me, being the silver driver in the lineup. To be honest, I was a bit stressed to not be up to the task, but thanks to the support I've received from the team, my teammates, and everything, it's doing well. I drive a little bit less, because in the ELMS, the bronze driver is driving much more.
“I really try to be as professional as possible. I work a lot to be competitive and to be part of the good silver. But you know, at the end of the day, it's a team, it's a team effort, and I keep working exactly in the same way than last year, except that I know that I'm expected to be a little bit faster.”
Q3. Next up is your home race at Spa-Francorchamps. What does racing at Spa mean to you personally and what is your favourite part of the track?
SB: “It means everything to me. The Belgian fans are always so incredible, the support we get from them is just insane.I love being at home, but it's also a little bit of extra pressure, that's for sure, because you feel that support and you want to deliver for all of them. So, yeah, I really look forward to being there.
“I think my favourite part of the track, you know, everybody is always talking about Eau Rouge and Raidillon. Of course, I love it, but personally, I’m a big fan of the double left Pouhon corners. I like that fast corner flow.
“I look forward to be back there with the team and hopefully go for a good result.”
Q4. The LMGT3 category is super competitive this season. Looking ahead to the next three races at Spa, Silverstone and Portimao, where do you feel the Iron Dames Porsche will be strong and who do you think will be your main rivals for the 2025 ELMS title?
SB: “Okay, looking at the next race, I think we can be strong everywhere, but I think mainly what will be important is to be consistent.
“Our main target is to fight for the title. I think we have shown that we can do pole position. We can win races. We know that, but we need to prove that as a team we can win title, that we have the shoulders wide enough for that. So, I think the consistency is going to be key. No mistakes, staying focused.
“Sometimes even if you realise you cannot win it, the few points that you can still take might be super important towards the end of the season.So, we're going to have to fight hard.
“When I see how tight the championship is, it's difficult to identify exactly who will be the main rivals, but there are some very serious cars out there, and we will not do the mistake of under evaluating our competition. We know that they're not going to give it to us, so we're going to have to fight for it.”
