Ahead of its 11th season – set to begin in December, Formula E held its pre-season testing. This marked a historic milestone with the first-ever all-female test for an FIA championship. During the event, 18 female drivers had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the new GEN3 Evo race car, which will be featured in the upcoming season. With key drivers from around the world taking part, the test represents a significant milestone in Formula E’s journey to foster greater representation and create pathways for future generations of women in the sport.
Formula E was launched in 2014 as the first fully electric racing series. Promising a more inclusive and sustainable future for motorsport, but women were still largely underrepresented. Over the years, only a handful of female drivers have made appearances in Formula E, with only three having competed.
The first women to race in the series were Katherine Legge and Michela Cerruti – on the debut grid in Beijing in 2014, however, neither of the women finished the season. Historically, Simona de Silvestro is the only woman to complete a Formula E season. She competed in a one-off race in 2015 and later joined the series full-time for the 2015/16 season with the Amlin Aguri team. Despite her strong performance, de Silvestro remained an exception rather than the rule.
The 2024 pre-season Formula E testing was planned to be held at Circuit Ricardo Tormo from the 4th to the 7th of November. However, following the disastrous flash floods, they were forced to relocate to Circuito del Jarama in Madrid from the 5th to the 8th of November, with the all-women test being on the final day of testing.
Each team was required to choose at least one female driver to represent them in the test. However, teams were widely encouraged to pick two drivers. Of the 11 teams participating, only 4 had a single driver representing them: Kiro Race Co, Lola Yamaha ABT, Mahindra Racing, and Nissan Formula E. The test saw the female drivers behind the wheel of the – new for the 2024/25 season – Gen3 Evo race car. The car boasts a capability of 0-60 mph in only 1.82 seconds, 30% quicker than a current F1 car. This test provided a platform for them to showcase their talents in a Formula E car, which was a first for most of the drivers.
The test makes history in FIA championships, providing female drivers with the opportunity to race in a brand-new car. The change comes from Jeff Dodds, who took over as CEO of Formula E just over 18 months ago. Jeff is one of the main names in Formula E who are driving change for the sport with attempts to diversify drivers.
Dodds said, “Unlike other series where women drivers have to use old or restricted machinery, they’ll be using the state-of-the-art GEN3 Evo car that accelerates 30% faster than an F1 car, just as our Championship drivers do.”
Over the course of the three-hour test, Abbi Pulling set the fastest lap of 1m30.889s behind the wheel of the Nissan Gen3 Evo car. Pulling is currently leading the F1 Academy standings – an all-female, junior-level single-seater racing championship. The 21-year-old was 3.4s behind the fastest lap of the week, set by Mitch Evans over the four days of running.
Pulling said to The Race “I don’t think I maximised it just because it was super, super heavy but the lads have been struggling on this new compound too. So, I know it’s not just me,”
Bianca Bustamante who drove for McLaren during the test reflected on what they needed to improve on during the session:
“The driving technique is very different. The brake shapes the amount of high speed that we have to endure in the high speed corners, so I think it took a while to adapt to that and build the confidence. Those were the key areas we worked on.”
Bustamante was third in the women’s test, just 0.826 seconds behind front-runner Pulling. The Filipino driver is currently seventh in the F1 academy driver standings, where she also drives under the McLaren colours.
The success of the all-women’s test could inspire similar initiatives in other motorsport series. It could also increase the visibility of successful female drivers in Formula E. Helping to inspire the next generation of women to dream bigger and aim higher. Participants in the test were able to drive a newer, faster car, expanding their knowledge, understanding and skillset.
Furthermore, they will greatly benefit from the media coverage of the test; it can aid in securing sponsorships and funding, which is difficult in many motorsport competitions. This challenge is particularly pronounced in championships with limited media exposure, such as those featuring female drivers. The media attention attracted by the test is likely to open up new professional opportunities for the women involved. It will allow them to connect with team owners, engineers, and other influential figures who can support their careers in the future.
Gabriela Jílková, who drove for TAG Heuer Porsche, discussed the impact of the test with Forbes:
“I think it’s a great step forward. A lot of people are putting a lot of effort into making this happen. Days like these are important for motorsport to get more women involved. We saw that with the W Series and now with the F1 Academy, and it’s great to see that Formula E is also taking this step.”
For the all-women test to make an impact, it must be part of a long-term strategy. This strategy should provide women with ongoing opportunities to test and race in Formula E and other FIA championships. Teams and sponsors must invest in female talent. This will create pathways for women to progress from grassroots racing to the professional level.
The all-women’s test in Formula E is not just a milestone for the series—it’s a symbol of a growing movement in the world of motorsport. With continued support, innovation, and dedication to inclusivity, motorsport can become a sport where talent, passion, and drive are the only factors that determine who gets to race, regardless of gender.
