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Formula E made history on Saturday by hosting its first-ever all-women test session for an FIA World Championship at the Circuito del Jarama in Madrid. This groundbreaking event saw 18 top female drivers take the wheel of the new GEN3 Evo race car, providing them with a unique opportunity to prepare for the 2024-25 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship season.
Abbi Pulling, driving for Nissan, emerged as the fastest driver during the three-hour session, topping the timing sheets in the afternoon. The 21-year-old British driver, who currently leads the F1 Academy championship, outpaced a competitive field that included three-time W Series champion Jamie Chadwick (Jaguar TCS Racing), who finished second, and McLaren Development Driver Bianca Bustamante, who secured third place.
The GEN3 Evo, known for its blistering acceleration from 0-60 mph in just 1.82 seconds—30% faster than a current Formula 1 car—offered the drivers an exciting chance to experience the cutting-edge technology of Formula E’s Season 11 race car.
“This was a really exciting session. It felt amazing to put what I’ve learned in the simulator into real life and experience the thrill of driving the Nissan Formula E car. Overall, I’m happy with the performance, and I look forward to more opportunities to drive in the future," Pulling said in a statement.
Promoting Gender Equality
This test session is part of Formula E’s broader strategy to promote gender equality in motorsport and create more opportunities for women to compete at the highest levels. The event not only gave the drivers valuable track time but also allowed them to contribute to team preparation for the upcoming season. In addition to driving, participants engaged in engineering debriefs, media activities, and team meetings, helping raise their profile within the motorsport community.
Jamie Chadwick, representing Jaguar TCS Racing, was enthusiastic about the experience. “It was really cool. The highlight for me was the incredible launch of the car—how quickly it can go from 0 to 100 km/h,” she said.
The session also played a critical role in gathering data to aid teams in their preparations for the upcoming Formula E season, with the first race scheduled to take place in São Paulo in just a few weeks.
“This is just the beginning. 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," said Jeff Dodds, CEO of Formula E.
The women who participated in the test session represented a diverse range of teams, including:
- Jaguar TCS Racing
- TAG Heuer Porsche
- DS PENSKE
- Nissan
- Andretti
- Envision Racing
- NEOM McLaren
- Maserati MSG Racing
- LOLA Yamaha ABT
- Kiro Race Co
- Mahindra Racing
This landmark event marks an important step in Formula E's ongoing commitment to gender equality and expanding opportunities for women in motorsport.
