Formula E organizers have officially confirmed that girls's pre-season testing will happen next month ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Pre-season testing for the electrical vehicle championship will begin on the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia on November 4-7 for all 11 teams and 22 full-time registered drivers, marking the one official start before the season starts in Sao. Paulo December 7.
Racing will run over 4 days, however the afternoon session on Thursday, November 7 shall be exclusively for female drivers, with teams required to run not less than one driver, but are encouraged to field two in the newest Gen3 Evo cars.
An all-female test was already held in Diriyah in 2018, and while the teams have yet to formally announce which female drivers will participate within the test, several teams have already got links with female drivers.
This includes three-time W Series champion and Indy NXT driver Jamie Chadwick, who raced with Andretti and tested one in every of the American team's IndyAutomobile cars earlier this week.
The 26-year-old Briton was also given the chance by Formula E to drive the Gen3 Evo automobile last season in Portland between official sessions.
Earlier this 12 months, inaugural F1 Academy champion Marta Garcia took part within the official Berlin Rookie Test with ERT, as did Alice Powell in her role with Envision.
Marta Garcia, ERT Formula E team
Photo: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
In the ten years since Formula E's inception, only three female drivers have ever competed in any races, all within the Gen1 era.
Katherine Legge began twice for Amlin Aguri in 2014, failing to complete in any points, as did Trulli Team's Michela Cerruti over the identical period, while Simona de Silvestro began 12 times for Andretti, twice recording a season-best finish of ninth. 2016.
While all drivers will give you the chance to check out the brand new Gen3 Evo automobile in Spain, work is already underway on the Gen4 machine, which shall be used from the 2026/27 season. It is believed it can include power steering – a system missing from the F2 and F3 cars and widely seen as a barrier to female drivers.
Jeff Dodds, Formula E CEO, said: “We know there isn’t a easy solution to greater diversity in motorsport. However, if we truly wish to ensure equality, opportunity and visibility for girls in our series, the conditions should be the identical for all to support their development and test themselves against women who’re already on the starting grid.
“Unlike other series where women drivers should use old or limited machinery, they are going to use the state-of-the-art Gen3 Evo automobile, which accelerates 30% faster than an F1 automobile, similar to our champion drivers do.
“We also know that one test won't solve a long-term problem, but we want to start out somewhere, knowing we still have an extended method to go, and ensuring we take proactive, consistent steps to make sure continued progress.
“As a motor sport where the variety of female and male fans is sort of equal, and in Formula E, including my executive and director teams, we consider it is true that our drivers and the broader ecosystem are representative of those that follow and support this sport. “
