Formula E has introduced a dedicated rookie test session for 2023, the first of its kind since 2020.
The session will be an opportunity for rookie drivers to test Formula E machinery around the Tempelhof Street Circuit, with the teams being able to evaluate their performance for the future.
“The rookie test is a great opportunity to show young drivers what Formula E is all about.”
“For rookies coming into Formula E, the test offers them a good chance to experience what they’ll come up against in this racing series”.
TAG Heuer Porsche boss, Florian Modlinger
The test is scheduled to take place on Monday 24 April, following rounds 7 and 8 in Berlin. Originally, FE teams were going to be required to run rookies in the normal free practice for the E-Prix. However, this received backlash as the normal drivers would go into qualifying with no practice around the circuit.
TAG Heuer Porsche: Ye and Beckmann
Porsche currently leads the team’s standings with Pascal Wehrlein leading the drivers. They have announced both drivers that will fulfil the rookie lineup.
First up is FIA World Endurance Championship driver Yifiei Ye. The 22-year-old is a former Renault F1 junior, with experience in single-seaters in both French F4 and Euroformula Open. In endurance racing, Ye is a champion in both the Asian and European Le Mans Series.
“I’ve always wanted to drive a Formula E car and I’m grateful that Porsche is giving me that opportunity. Electric motorsport has a bright future.”
“For me, this is an interesting new challenge that I’m really excited to get stuck into. Beforehand, I’ll follow the races in Berlin closely from the pits and try to learn as much as possible from Antonio and Pascal.”
Yifiei is concentrating on WEC with Porsche, but said he is “still young and can certainly imagine contesting Formula E races one day”.
On the other half of the Porsche garage, David Beckmann will join Ye for the Berlin rookie test for his first taste of Formula E outside of the simulator.
Beckmann is set to step in for Andre Lotterer at Avalanche Andretti for the Berlin double header. Lotterer has a WEC commitment away from Formula E, but the call comes to former Andretti and current Porsche reserve.
“Being able to drive the Porsche 99X Electric in Berlin just a few days before my birthday is a great present.”
“For me, it’s a fantastic experience to enter the new era of Formula E with Porsche this season.”
“I’m really looking forward to the rookie test and getting to know our car even better. Of course, I also hope to be able to share some useful insights with my team.”
Envision Racing: Jack Aitken
Aitken is certain to be one of the more experienced of the 22 rookies in the test, having made his Formula 1 debut in 2020 when stepping in for George Russell at Williams.
He has since taken to the world of endurance racing and is riding the momentum of a win at the 12 Hours of Sebring, partnered with former Formula E driver Alexander Sims and Pipo Derani.
“I’m really excited to be Envision Racing’s rookie driver. It’s a great opportunity for me to get behind the wheel of a Formula E car for the first time.”
“The new Gen3 model looks like a lot of fun to drive. I can’t wait for the opportunity to experience that for myself in Berlin and assist the team with their work as they keep building on what has already been a great start to the season.”
The 27-year-old has completed sim sessions with both Mahindra and Jaguar, but the rookie test will be his first opportunity to test the all-electric machinery on track.
“We are delighted to welcome Jack Aitken to Envision Racing for the official rookie test day in Berlin.”
“Jack has a wealth of talent and experience, and we are very excited that he will be getting his first taste of Formula E with our team. The test day will be hugely beneficial to him as a driver and for us to gather more crucial data for the season ahead.”
Sylvain Filippi, Managing Director and Chief Technical Officer at Envision Racing
Avalanche Andretti: Maloney and Lundqvist
Andretti have announced both drivers for the Berlin test: Zane Maloney and Linus Lundqvist
Lundqvist is the reigning INDY NXT champion, dominating the 2022 season but struggling to find a seat in Indycar for this season. He recently completed his first NTT Indycar test at the Texas Motor Speedway with the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing team.
“Big thanks to Michael Andretti, JF Thormann, Roger Griffiths and everyone at Andretti for this amazing opportunity, I’m super excited and grateful for the occasion.”
“It will be great to experience a completely new car and series that I’ve not driven in before. I know it’s going to be very different to anything I’ve done before, but I’m doing my best to be as prepared as possible to have a successful test with the Avalanche Andretti Formula E team. I can’t wait to get going!”
The Swedish driver will be joined in the rookie test by Zane Maloney, the first-ever Formula 2 driver from Barbados. Maloney raced in Formula 3 in 2022, winning 3 feature races in a row after the summer break to finish 2nd in the championship.
The 19-year-old became a Red Bull Junior Driver and has moved to F2 with Carlin for 2023, showing a blistering pace in the opening rounds and catching the eye of many teams in different areas of motorsport.
“I’m very excited to be part of the Berlin Rookie Test with Avalanche Andretti Formula E.”
“Driving in Formula E is going to be a new experience for me, so I’m grateful for this opportunity and would like to thank everyone at Andretti for making this possible.”
“I will be trying to learn as much as I can during this test and gain some beneficial experience in the GEN3 car.”
Looking Ahead For The Other Teams
Porsche and Andretti are the only teams to have announced their full rookie test line up, with Envision having one seat occupied. The other teams will certainly be on the lookout for exciting young talent and will hope to welcome them to Formula E in Berlin.
Image Courtesy of: Sam Bloxham