Formula E makes history with first-ever all-women test session

Formula E played host to the first-ever all-women test session for an FIA World Championship today at Circuito del Jarama in Madrid, with Abbi Pulling (Nissan) fastest in the afternoon

The first-of-its-kind test in the all-electric ABB FIA Formula E World Championship provided elite women racing drivers the opportunity to drive the new-for-Season 11 (2024/25) GEN3 Evo race car, capable of 0-60mph in just 1.82 seconds – 30% faster than a current F1 car

The Women’s Test is part of Formula E’s broader long-term strategy to remove barriers and expand opportunities for women within the all-electric championship

Today marked an historic milestone in FIA Championship history as 18 elite women racing drivers took to the track for a dedicated test session at Circuito del Jarama in Madrid. In this momentous event, each driver tested the brand-new GEN3 Evo, paving the way for future generations of women drivers, while Abbi Pulling topped the timing sheet, driving for Nissan.

The three-hour session came as part of the 2024/25 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s pre-season testing schedule. The first-of-its-kind test provided elite women racing drivers the opportunity to drive the new-for-Season 11 GEN3 Evo race car, which is capable of 0-60 mph in just 1.82 seconds – 30% faster than a current F1 car.

Pulling, who is currently leading the F1 Academy championship, secured the quickest time in the three-hour session amid a field of 18 drivers representing the top tier of women driver talent. The 21-year-old Brit dialled things in to pip early-session leaders three-time W Series champion Jamie Chadwick and Formula E’s first woman points-scorer, Simona de Silvestro.  

Chadwick, who was representing Jaguar TCS Racing in the test, came in second with McLaren Development Driver and F1 Academy racer Bianca Bustamante rounding out the top three. 

The women’s test is part of Formula E’s broader long-term strategy to remove barriers and expand opportunities for women within the all-electric championship. Alongside the test session, the drivers played an integral role in team preparation ahead of the new Formula E season, participating in engineering debriefs and meetings as well as taking part in media opportunities, press conferences, briefings, interviews and capturing content for broadcast and social media on behalf of Formula E and their respective teams.

The aim was to help raise their profile within elite motorsport and the wider sports industry, as well as those involved at grassroots levels and aspiring to work in motorsport. This isn’t just about creating a one-off opportunity, it’s about analysing and actively dismantling the structural inequalities that have limited women’s participation and progress.

The Women’s Test driver line-up:

• Jaguar TCS Racing: Jamie Chadwick and Lilou Wadoux
• TAG Heuer Porsche: Gabriela Jilkova and Marta Garcia
• DS PENSKE: Jess Edgar and Beitske Visser
• Nissan: Abbi Pulling
• Andretti: Chloe Chambers and Nerea Marti
• Envision Racing: Alisha Palmowski and Alice Powell
• NEOM McLaren: Bianca Bustamante and Ella Lloyd
• Maserati MSG Racing: Tatiana Calderon and Carrie Schreiner
• Lola Yamaha ABT: Miki Koyama
• Mahindra Racing: Lena Buehler
• Kiro Race Co: Simona de Silvestro

Abbi Pulling, Nissan Formula E Team, said: “It was a really exciting session, and felt amazing to put what I’ve learned in the simulator into real life and to experience the thrill of driving the Nissan Formula E car. The lap times were strong which is very pleasing, I think there was more time to extract at the peak of the tyre, but overall I’m happy with the performance. The whole team was great, explaining everything to me and answering any questions I had, so a big thanks to them. I’m delighted to have helped Nissan Formula E Team in the build-up to the new season and I hope to have another opportunity to drive the car in the future!”

Jamie Chadwick, Jaguar TCS Racing, said: “It was an enjoyable day, there is so much I think everyone is going say they should have got out of the car in such a short period of time, and it got a bit messy there at the end with the red flags, but it was really cool, I really enjoyed it. Hopefully, I’ll be back for some more – I think it has been a really good experience. One thing that was the most impressive was the launch, I did a couple and it’s incredible how quickly that car can go from 0-100km/h – that was my highlight.”

Bianca Bustamante, NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, said: “Today was my first experience driving the Formula E GEN3 Evo car. It was a lot of fun working with the whole team. We’ve been working and building towards this moment for the past few months and I’m happy to now have had this experience driving the car. We completed some 350kw laps, and it was a lot more power than I have been used to before, which was a great experience for me to improve my skills. 

“Having this experience through the McLaren Driver Development programme and NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, I feel I am becoming a better and more well-rounded driver, which was always the aim. Finishing the test in P3 is a big positive, and I am very thankful for this experience with the team.”

Jeff Dodds, CEO of Formula E, said: “Today was a proud moment seeing 18 of the world’s best women drivers out on track in our new GEN3 Evo Formula E car. In just three hours, we’ve not only seen impressive consistency but also rapid development, with lap times falling quickly as the drivers got to grips with the complexities of the all-new car. 

“With more opportunity for track time, and in equal machinery as current drivers, I’m certain we will see these drivers become more and more confident in pushing the car and themselves to the limit, setting a more accurate benchmark for where their true potential lies. The drivers today have also provided their teams and fellow drivers with important data and feedback as they prepare their cars to go racing in São Paulo in a few short weeks.

“Today’s test has been an important milestone in our goal to provide more opportunities for women drivers, and a first step towards greater equity at the top level of motorsport. For those who participated in, helped prepare and even watched the test, this is just the beginning of a long road towards true parity and equality in motorsport. Watch this space. There is a lot more to come.”

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