Formula 3 driver Sophia Flörsch and F1 Academy driver Chloe Chambers recently took part in a two-day test at Silverstone with the FIA, helping to define the setup regulations of both classes to make the respective championships as accessible as possible.
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The test included things such as wide-range setup changes, using different compounds of tyre, braking input, evaluating steering input and effort, along with the overall ergonomics of the cars.
Alpine Academy driver Sophia Flörsch completed 96 laps of the Silverstone circuit, piloting the 2024 Formula 2 car. The 23-year-old spoke about the variety in setup after the test was completed.
“I think the biggest differences were the two steering racks and also the caster changes. The more caster you put, the heavier it gets. With the steering racks, I preferred the harder one because it is a lot more direct and you can be a lot more aggressive on the high-speed corners, which I think is important in order to have downforce in the cars.
“I think it is good to see that they are working on it and compare real life data to their simulations. I was really lucky and happy to be one of the drivers to get the chance to drive the F2 car for the first time.”
Haas F1 Academy driver Chloe Chambers was at the wheel of a 2019 Formula 3 chassis for the two day test period, with hybrid technology to simulate the behaviour of a 2025 spec F3 car. The 20-year-old completed 97 laps of the British Grand Prix circuit and spoke confidently about the test results.
“The purpose of the test was to get a feeling for the car and give my feedback on the handling, the steering weight, the balance, and other things that can be improved for the next generation. This is an important process to make our sport more accessible for everyone on the ladder to Formula 1.
“Of course this is only the beginning, but I think the test is a positive step and that we can make a big difference. I did a lot of laps in different conditions and on different tyres, so I am hopeful that my feedback and data will be helpful to make the cars as accessible as possible” she added.
The test has been a great opportunity for the drivers, who will be happy to take their new found experience with them as they compete in their respective series. With tests like this and others on the horizon, how long will it be until we see a female driver on the F1 grid?
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