Women race drivers test Formula E cars
Formula E has announced a significant milestone in its journey toward inclusivity and diversity in motorsport. For the first time in an FIA Championship, an all-women test session will be held, offering elite women racing drivers the opportunity to drive the cutting-edge GEN3 Evo race car. This historic event is set to take place on November 7th at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia as part of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s pre-season testing.
Breaking Barriers: The First All-Women Test Session
The upcoming test session is not just another routine event in motorsport history. It is a pioneering effort aimed at leveling the playing field for women in a sport that has long been dominated by men. Despite motorsport’s unique characteristic of being one of the few sports where men and women can compete together, female participation remains staggeringly low. According to the FIA, women hold just 3% of top-tier racing licenses worldwide. Formula E, through this initiative, is taking tangible steps to change that narrative.
Each of the 11 Formula E teams will field at least one woman driver for this session, with the option to field two, ensuring that up to 22 elite women drivers will take part. The women will have the opportunity to test the same GEN3 Evo cars driven by Formula E’s current roster of male drivers—race cars that are 30% faster than Formula 1 cars in terms of acceleration, capable of reaching 0-60 mph in just 1.82 seconds. This means the women will be competing with cutting-edge technology, testing their skills on equal terms with their male counterparts.
For these drivers, this test session is more than just an opportunity to drive high-performance cars. It is a chance to be seen and heard. They will participate in press conferences, media interviews, and social media engagements, all aimed at raising their profiles within the motorsport industry and beyond. Formula E’s intention is clear: to not only create a platform for female drivers but also provide them with a pathway to sustained success.
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Addressing Gender Disparity in Motorsport
While this test session is a major step forward, Formula E recognizes that it is just the beginning of a longer journey. CEO Jeff Dodds acknowledges that solving gender disparity in motorsport is not something that can be achieved overnight.
“We know there isn’t a simple solution for greater diversity in motorsport,” Dodds said.
“But if we’re going to truly give women equality, opportunity, and visibility in our series, conditions for all need to be the same to aid their development and test themselves against those already on the starting grid.”
This equality is exemplified in the decision to let the women test the GEN3 Evo car, the latest in Formula E’s technological arsenal. Historically, women drivers have often been relegated to outdated or less competitive machinery. By allowing women to drive the same high-performance cars used by the top drivers in the world, Formula E is eliminating one of the key barriers that have limited women’s progress in motorsport.
Long-Term Commitment to Diversity
Formula E’s commitment to gender equality goes beyond a single test session. The championship is integrating a range of initiatives aimed at fostering diversity across all levels of the sport. One such initiative is the FIA Girls on Track program, which will run concurrently with the Valencia test. Up to 400 young women will have the chance to watch the female drivers in action and participate in workshops designed to accelerate their careers in motorsport.
In addition to providing driving opportunities, Formula E is working with teams and partners to offer further support, including engineering roles, simulator time, coaching, and future test sessions. The goal is to create a modern driver pathway that removes the barriers to entry for women while providing them with the resources and guidance they need to succeed.
The commitment extends into future seasons, with plans to introduce technology such as power steering in the GEN4 cars (from Season 13 in 2026), which is expected to aid performance for both male and female drivers. By continuing to improve the technology and structure of the series, Formula E is ensuring that the sport evolves in a way that benefits everyone, regardless of gender.
Inspiring Future Generations
The importance of representation cannot be overstated. Seeing women on the track, competing at the highest level, will inspire future generations of drivers, engineers, and fans. Formula E is amplifying this message throughout Season 11, using the FIA Girls on Track program and other outreach initiatives to encourage more young women to get involved in motorsport.
One of the most critical aspects of this initiative is engagement at the grassroots level. By working with diverse, women-led organizations, Formula E aims to identify the barriers that prevent women and girls from entering motorsport and develop strategies to remove them. These efforts will not only increase female participation but also enhance the diversity and inclusivity of the sport as a whole.
The Road Ahead
While the all-women test session is a monumental achievement, it is clear that Formula E is not resting on its laurels. The organization recognizes that there is still a long way to go in achieving true gender equality in motorsport. As Jeff Dodds put it, “We also recognize that one test will not solve the longstanding issue, but we have to start somewhere.”
That somewhere is Valencia, where the 22 elite women drivers will have the chance to showcase their skills in the GEN3 Evo car. This test session represents a significant moment not only for the drivers but for the future of motorsport. Formula E’s proactive, consistent steps toward inclusion and diversity are paving the way for a new era in racing—one where men and women compete on equal footing, and where young women watching from the sidelines can dream of taking the wheel themselves.
Formula E is on a mission to ensure that motorsport reflects the diversity of its fan base, creating a space where all drivers, regardless of gender, have the opportunity to excel. The Valencia test session is the first step in what promises to be an exciting and transformative journey for women in motorsport.
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