FIA Formula E has announced a groundbreaking all-female test session to take place on November 7th at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia.
The test will complete the week-long pre-season testing programme ahead of the Season 11 opener in Sao Paulo on December 7th.
All Formula E teams will be required to run at least one driver in the test, but will be “encouraged” by the championship to run two, in what will be the first-of-a-kind test for an FIA series.
In order to help raise the profile of the drivers who will take part, Formula E will also be hosting media opportunities, as well as an additional FIA Girls on Track event, in which 400 young women from the local area will be present. These will also continue at races throughout Season 11.
Formula E has also pledged to work with teams and drivers “to provide further opportunities for women drivers, such as engineering support, simulator time, future test opportunities and driver and holistic coaching as part of a modern driver pathway.”
It is not the first time that Formula E has fielded female drivers in tests, with 2023 F1 Academy champion Marta Garcia and Britain’s Alice Powell having previously driven for ERT and Envision Racing respectively at the rookie test in Berlin.
In a statement released by Formula E, CEO Jeff Dodds said:
“We know there isn’t a simple solution for greater diversity in motorsport. If we’re going to truly give women equality, opportunity and visibility in our series, however, conditions for all need to be the same to aid their development and test themselves against those already on the starting grid.
“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.
“We also recognise that one test will not solve the longstanding issue, but we have to start somewhere, knowing there is a long way to go and making sure we’re making proactive, consistent steps that continue to make forward progress.
“As a motorsport with an almost-equal split of male and female fans, as well within Formula E including my Exec and Director teams, we believe it’s only right that our drivers and wider ecosystem is representative of those that follow and support the sport.”
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