Formula E’s all-women rookie test in Berlin delivered more than just lap-time comparisons, with the event widely viewed as a major step toward improving female representation in elite motorsport.
Held during the 2026 Berlin E-Prix weekend, the special test session featured several emerging women drivers getting valuable track time in Formula E machinery at the Tempelhof Airport Street Circuit. The initiative aimed to provide experience, visibility, and development opportunities rather than focusing purely on fastest laps.
Several participants described the test as a rare opportunity to work directly with Formula E teams, understand energy management systems, and gain exposure to the technical demands of electric racing.
Formula E officials emphasised that the programme forms part of the championship’s broader diversity and inclusion strategy, which seeks to create clearer pathways for women in top-level motorsport categories.
The test included drivers from various racing backgrounds, including Formula 3, endurance racing, karting, and F1 Academy. Teams used the sessions to evaluate driving adaptability, simulator preparation, technical feedback, and race management skills.
The initiative also comes amid increasing global conversations about gender equality in motorsport, with many industry figures arguing that regular testing opportunities are essential for female drivers to progress toward elite championships.
Formula E has positioned itself as one of the more progressive global motorsport series in terms of sustainability and diversity, and the Berlin rookie test was viewed as another significant move in that direction.
Discussion about this post