Formula E Testing at Jarama: A Historic Step Forward for Women in Motorsport
The recent Formula E pre-season test at the Jarama Circuit in Madrid from November 5-8 didn’t just showcase technological advances with the Gen3 Evo cars; it also made history by featuring the first official all-female test day in the sport's history. This unprecedented event provided female drivers with a crucial opportunity to showcase their skills and gain direct experience in a top-tier racing environment, marking a key moment for gender inclusivity in motorsport.
Photo by Malcolm Griffiths / LAT Images
Why This Event Matters for Women in Motorsport
Historically, motorsport has been male-dominated, with fewer opportunities for women to break into the professional ranks at the highest levels. The Formula E all-female test day aimed to address it by giving talented women drivers a platform to experience the unique demands of Formula E’s racing series. This initiative aligns with wider efforts within motorsport, such as the F1 Academy, which fight for increasing the visibility and opportunities for women on the track.
By creating a regulated and competitive environment that allows female drivers to test their skills at the same level as male drivers, Formula E sent a clear message that it values diversity and inclusion. The event not only allowed the drivers to refine their skills but also to build important connections within the racing community.
So the all-female test day was much more than a symbolic gesture; it was a big step towards building future opportunities and breaking down barriers for women in racing. By establishing competitive female participation as part of the pre-season agenda, Formula E provides a clear opportunity for talented women drivers to connect with teams, secure sponsorships, and earn spots in future Formula E lineups.
Drivers Who Took Part in the Historic All-Female Test
Let’s get to know the line-up!
Graphic from ABB FIA Formula E’s article: Every Driver Set for Formula E’s Women’s Test in Madrid https://www.fiaformulae.com/en/news/512871Andretti brought the Spanish 22-year-old Nerea Marti and the American 20-year-old Haas academy driver Chloe Chambers, both competing for Campos Racing in the F1 Academy.
NEOM McLaren was represented by Ella Lloyd, the 19-year-old British racing driver who was a Wild Card entry for Round 5 of F1 Academy 2024 and from 2025 she will also be a McLaren Racing's F1 Academy driver. And Bianca Bustamante, the 19-year-old racing driver from the Philippines competing in the F1 Academy for ART Grand Prix and part of the McLaren Driver Development Programme.
Envision Racing had the British 18-year-old Alisha Palmowski, the vice champion of the GB4 Championship 2024 with Elite Motorsport and Alice Powell, the 31-year-old British racing driver who became the first woman to win a Formula Renault championship and to score points in the GP3 Series.
Maserati MSG Racing had Carrie Schreiner, the German 26-year-old racing driver who’s currently competing for Campos Racing in the F1 Academy. As well as, the Colombian 31-year-old Tatiana Calderon, who, in 2019, became the first woman to compete in Formula 2 with BWT Arden.
TAG Heuer Porsche was represented by Marta Garcia, the 24-year-old Spanish racing driver who won the first F1 Academy championship in 2023 and competed this year in the Formula Regional EU by Alpine. And Gabriela Jilkova, the Czech 29-year-old GT4 driver.
Nissan selected the 21-year-old British Alpine Academy driver Abbi Pulling, who’s currently fighting for the F1 Academy championship with Rodin Motorsport and also competing in the British F4. Sophia Flörsch, the German 23-year-old and Alpine Academy Driver who competed in the F3 Championship this year, was also supposed to join the team but had to withdraw from the test due to scheduling conflicts caused by the change in testing dates.
DS PENSKE featured the 29-year-old Dutch Beitske Visser who has raced in kart, single-seater, GT and prototype series and Jess Edgar, the 19-year-old British racing driver who’s currently competing for Rodin Motorsport in the F1 Academy.
Lola Yamaha ABT was represented by the Japanese Miki Koyama, the 27-year-old racing driver who became the first woman to win an FIA-regulated, all-gender single-seater championship in the 2022 Formula Regional Japanese Championship.
Mahindra Racing brought on the Swiss 27-year-old Lena Buehler, the runner-up of the first F1 Academy championship in 2023 as well as a member of the Sauber Academy.
Jaguar TCS Racing brought on 26-year-old British racing driver Jamie Chadwick, who holds the records for the most wins, podiums, pole positions and points in the W Series. And also the French 23-year-old Lilou Wadoux, the first female official driver for Ferrari Competizioni GT.
Finally, Kiro Race Co included Simona de Silvestro in their lineup. The 36-year-old racing driver from Switzerland had previous experience in Formula E, having competed for the Andretti team during the 2015-2016 season and she has also raced in over 60 IndyCar Series races.
Highlights of the Testing at Jarama
In this 2024/25 Formula E pre-season testing in Jarama, female racing drivers had the chance to get behind the wheel of the GEN3 Evo race car, a model that boasts incredible speed, capable of going from 0 to 60 mph in just 1.82 seconds - 30% faster than a current F1 car.
The three-hour test session saw 18 top-tier drivers, including some of the most accomplished names in motorsport, but it was Abbi Pulling, the current leader of the F1 Academy standings, who posted the fastest time of the day. Jaguar TCS Racing’s Chadwick finished second, while Bianca Bustamante rounded out the top three.
Graphic from ABB FIA Formula E’s report: Pulling Fastest in Formula E’s First Women’s Testhttps://www.fiaformulae.com/en/news/512939For many drivers, it was their first experience in any Formula E car, including the new-for-Season 11 GEN3 Evo, giving them firsthand experience with one of the fastest and most technologically advanced cars in motorsport today. So it served as a powerful platform for these women, providing not only the chance to prove their skills but also the opportunity to connect with the latest racing technology.
A Unique Challenge at Jarama
The Formula E pre-season test was originally scheduled to take place from November 4-7 at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, where it has been held since 2017. However, the region was hit by devastating floods that caused significant damage, particularly to infrastructure such as access roads to the circuit, which made it impossible for teams to get there. The flooding, which tragically resulted in numerous fatalities and displaced many people, led to a quick decision to relocate the event to the Jarama Circuit from November 5-8, just outside Madrid.
The decision to move to Jarama was made with careful consideration of the ongoing humanitarian efforts in Valencia, ensuring that Formula E's resources didn’t interfere and divert attention from recovery needs.
Looking to the Future
Overall, Formula E is setting a precedent for gender inclusivity in professional motorsport. With the upcoming Formula E season promising intense competition and new technological innovations, the pre-season tests at Jarama have set a high bar. For female drivers, it’s a moment of opportunity and inspiration, a chance to be seen not as exceptions in the sport but as equals in skill, potential, and ambition. It gives them a tangible pathway to advance their careers, gain experience at the highest level, and access the resources to continue progressing within motorsport.
This session was not just a one-off event, it is just the beginning of what could be a transformative era for women in racing, helping them bridge the gap to top-tier series and the world will be watching closely as these talented drivers continue to break barriers.
So as developments like these open up new possibilities, what do you think the future holds for women in top-tier racing?
