Formula E hosted the first all-women test session for the Championship on November 8, 2024, at Circuito del Jarama in Madrid.
The three-hour session was scheduled as part of the 2024/25 FIA Formula E World Championship pre-season testing, providing female drivers with the opportunity to drive the new Season 11 GEN3 Evo race car.
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Capable of 0-60mph in just 1.82 seconds, this is 30% faster than the current Formula 1 car.
The Final Classification
Abbi Pulling topped the timings at the end of the session, with a 1:30.889 for Nissan Formula E Team.
The 21-year-old Brit is currently leading the 2024 F1 Academy Championship with Rodin Motorsport, with just two rounds remaining in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
Joining the series in 2023, Pulling achieved seven podiums and a top five finish, with her 2024 series being marked with an incredible seven wins so far.
With further experience in series including British F4 and W Series, Pulling became a full-time member of the Alpine Academy in 2023.
Jamie Chadwick followed in second, with a 1:31.209 for Jaguar TCS Racing.
With prior Formula E experience, Chadwick participated in two test drives with the NIO Formula E team during the 2018/2019 season. She also took part in the 2020 rookie test for Jaguar Racing and tested the GEN3 car at the 2024 Portland ePrix.
Chadwick took her maiden win in the 2024 Indy NXT series at Road America, becoming the first woman to do so since Pippa Mann in 2010.
Bianca Bustamante completed the top three, with a 1:31.715 for NEOM McLaren Formula E Team.
A McLaren Development driver, Bustamante is currently in her second season of F1 Academy, with the 19-year-old currently seventh in the Standings with ART Grand Prix.
Bustamante’s maiden W Series campaign in 2022 saw her achieve the top rookie honours, with the Filipina driver also being listed as one of this year’s 50 Most Marketable Athletes.
As It Happened…
For many of the field, it was their first time sampling any generation of Formula E car.
However, the grid quickly seemed to get to grips with the new circuit and GEN3 Evo car.
Unfortunately, Lilou Wadoux for Jaguar Racing was unable to complete any laps in the session due to a seat fit issue.
“Lilou Wadoux visited our HQ in Kidlington for both a seat fit and to test in our simulator. Unfortunately, when Lilou jumped into the Jaguar I-TYPE 7 for her final pedal check here in Madrid, her seat was not as comfortable as she would like,” said Jaguar.
“We are investigating the reason as to why the seat fits were not consistent. We are all really disappointed that Lilou was unable to take part in the women’s test session as we know she is a fantastic racing driver with incredible talent who has made a positive impression.”
The session also experienced a brief red-flag period after DS PENSKE’s Jess Edgar came to a stop at Turn 4 with just under half an hour remaining.
However, there was seemingly no damage to the driver’s car as she was able to complete the final minutes of testing.
Throughout the session, it was Pulling, Chadwick and Bustamante who continually occupied the top spots.
The Future Of Women In Formula E
This first all-women Formula E test session was pivotal in providing a pathway for the drivers to develop their career and skills using current technology.
By proactively launching this initiative, Formula E’s long-term strategy is to remove barriers and expand opportunities for women within the all-electric championship.
Although these currently stand as one-off opportunities, the series aims to dismantle the structural inequalities that have limited women’s participation and progress.
Featured Image Credit: Formula E Media Bank
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