Formula E has announced it will hold another all-female test in its pre-season programme in Valencia in October, ahead of Season 12.
The all-electric championship created history last year with its inaugural all-female test, the first FIA-backed series to hold such an event.
18 drivers took to the Jarama circuit in Madrid on the final day of the pre-season schedule, with reigning F1 Academy champion Abbi Pulling fastest for Nissan.
Such was the success of the test, that some of the participants including Ella Lloyd and Bianca Bustamante, have since tested again, with Pulling signed as Nissan’s simulator driver.
2024’s test was run over the second half of the final day of the schedule, which was hastily rearranged to Madrid due to catastrophic flooding in Valencia.
This year’s iteration at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo will see double track time for the drivers, with a full day scheduled on October 31, with the usual schedule taking place on October 27-30.
In a statement, FE’s CEO Jeff Dodds said: “We’re pleased to be returning with our second all-women’s test. Last year’s event was a landmark moment and its success has laid a foundation for what comes next.
“This year, with double the track time, we’re offering an even greater platform for elite women drivers to demonstrate their talent in our cutting-edge GEN3 Evo race car.
“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’ve already seen this initiative lead to real career progression for multiple drivers, and we expect this year’s test to open even more doors.”
Pablo Martino, Head of Formula E at the FIA, said: “Following the success of the inaugural Formula E Women’s Test, we are delighted to be offering talented female racers another invaluable opportunity to gain experience and showcase their skills in the series.
“The feedback from teams and participants last year was positive, and there has already been a tremendous level of interest in next month’s test.
“At the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, we are committed to fostering greater diversity and equality in motorsport, and with a number of the women who tested the Formula E car last year having since gone on to establish themselves in some positions in the championship, we have no doubt that it is only a matter of time before we see one of them joining the grid.”
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