Jean-Eric Vergne of France driving the (25) DS Penske DS E-Tense FE25 leads Nick Cassidy of New Zealand driving the (37) Jaguar TCS Racing Jaguar I-TYPE 7 during day three of Formula E Pre-Season Testing at Circuito del Jarama on November 07, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Simon Galloway/LAT Images for Formula E)
Formula E Hot News

Formula E to introduce Rookie Free Practice Session in Jeddah

Posted by AR1 staff

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will introduce a Rookie Free Practice session as part of the Jeddah E-Prix, specifically designed for drivers who have never raced in the Championship.

The 40-minute session, scheduled for Thursday, February 13th, will provide experienced racing talent from other motorsport championships valuable track time to discover the new, ground-breaking technology of Formula E’s GEN3 Evo car.

Key Features:

  • Exclusively for Rookies: Open to experienced racing drivers from other series, with a Free Practice Only License.
  • GEN3 Evo Experience: Offers hands-on experience with the latest Formula E technology, capable of 0-100km/h in 1.82s – 30% faster than a current F1 car.
  • Clearer Pathways: Supports Formula E and the FIA’s commitment to developing future motorsport talent.

Teams must nominate a driver and allocate a race car number seven days prior to the event, meaning the exciting line-up will be revealed in the next coming weeks.

This initiative follows the successful inaugural Women’s Test in Madrid in October, and further emphasizes Formula E and the FIA’s dedication to creating diverse and inclusive pathways for the next generation of racing drivers.

Alberto Longo, Co-Founder and Chief Championship Officer, said:

“Following on from the success of our Official Women’s Test in November, we’re thrilled to introduce this dedicated Rookie Free Practice session at the Jeddah E-Prix. It’s a crucial next-step in fulfilling our commitment to nurturing the next generation of racing talent, including young women. This opportunity to drive the cutting-edge GEN3 Evo car will provide invaluable experience for these young drivers, and we believe it will significantly contribute to developing the future stars of Formula E and motorsport as a whole.”

Pablo Martino, Head of Formula E Championship, FIA, said:

“It’s crucial for the FIA to allow drivers to develop their careers through FIA World Championships, and this series has one of the most competitive grids around. Many of its current stars gained their first Formula E experience in one of these rookie sessions or tests, and to provide such opportunities for the next generation of promising talents to discover the specifics of Formula E and EV racing – and adapt their driving style accordingly – is essential for the championship’s continuing growth.”