On Thursday, February 13, 2025, some rookies will drive a Formula E car in a special free practice. Here’s the official list, along with some background to help you get to know them better before the big day.
Following the success of the Women’s Test in November, Formula E introduces, for the first time, a 40-minutes long rookie test in Jeddah. Taking place on February 13, 2025 from 16:00 to 16:40, it will allow drivers from other motorsport categories, who have never driven in Formula E for a full season, to test the GEN3 Evo car. Alberto Longo, Co-Founder and Chief Championship Officer in Formula E, declared : “This opportunity […] 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”.
1. Kush Maini
The 24-years-old Indian driver was the first one to be announced. He will drive for Mahindra. It’s a good opportunity for him to be back behind the wheel just before the Formula 2 test and the beginning of the season. The Alpine junior academy driver was confirmed for a third Formula 2 season with Invicta. With a lot of racing experience under his belt, he will be one to watch out for.
2. Zak O’Sullivan
The young man will drive with Envision. After an early departure from Formula 2 in 2024 because of budget issues, the British driver found a seat in Super Formula for 2025. He seems more motivated than ever to take this challenge as he declared : “The session itself will provide a good opportunity for me to learn the car and I will also be making sure I spend as much time with the team as possible across the race week, so I absorb as much as I can”. With an international stage, this rookie test could be a great chance for him to attract sponsors or team principal’s interest in Europe. And why not a seat in the future…
3. Mikkel Jensen
After a career across the endurance world such as ELMS, IMSA or GT, he is set to return in single seater with that rookie test. It will be the first time since 2016. Cupra Kiro gives him that opportunity, which will be exciting and challenging for the Danish driver : “Formula E has interested me for a while now, and from my time preparing in the simulator, the car feels completely different to anything I’ve experienced before in my career”. With 18 wins and 38 podiums over the past nine years under his belt, it will be interesting to see him return in a single seater car.
4. Alexander Dunne
Being part of the McLaren Driver Development programme, it’s not that big of a surprise for the Irish driver to be the rookie for NEOM McLaren Formula E Team. He finished 14th in the Formula 3 standing last year but showed great speed, make him scored two podiums and seven top 10. His program for 2025 is Formula 2 with Rodin. This test could be a great practice for his future, and he declared to be already working with the team : “I’ve been working hard in the simulator and with the team to prepare for this test, and I can’t wait to get out to Jeddah.”
5. Daniil Kvyat
This kind of stressful environment is well known by the Russian driver. It is one of the criteria that seduced the DS PENSKE team, alongside his wheel knowledge : “His background in Formula 1 and his proven ability to perform at the highest level will provide invaluable insights for our team”, declared the Deputy Team Principal, Phil Charles.
6. Gabriele Minì
The Formula 3 vice-champion is up to a new challenge. After one race with Prema in Formula 2 to replace Oliver Bearman, he’s part of the Prema line-up for 2025. He already made a test with Nissan in Berlin last year, so it makes sense to do it again for this rookie test with the same team. The Italian Alpine junior declared : “The biggest challenge when I discovered Formula E was the complexity of the race simulation, and having to be quick but also efficient, with energy management, at the same time.[…] My goal is to help the team for the remainder of the weekend by collecting as much data as possible”.
7. Jamie Chadwick
The British Indy NXT driver is back behind the Formula E’s wheel with Jaguar TCS Racing. After a successful second test last year during the Women’s Test, she’s here to make a third. Her racing experiences will definitely be a plus for the team. She knows it and feels ready to take this new challenge : “It is the first time Formula E has raced in Jeddah, so I know how important my feedback, data and insights on the race car and the track will be for the team”.
8. Théo Pourchaire
After half a year without a seat, the young Frenchman is set to come back in Jeddah with Maserati MSG Racing. A great opportunity to be back behind the wheel as his program for this year remains unknown. The Peugeot test and development driver is thankful for this opportunity : “I know the Jeddah track from F2, I’ve raced there three times in the past but on a slightly different configuration and in a very different car but I do think knowing the track a little helps especially when I will be in a new car with a new team. Overall, I’m excited to get on track, show what I can do, help the team and hopefully have fun !”
9. Jak Crawford
The Formula 2 driver is back. As he did the test in Berlin last year with Andretti, he then became the reserve and development driver for the team. He will also still drive with Dams Lucas Oil in Formula 2. This test will be great for him to still have a foot in the Formula E paddock. It’s also a new car for him to try : “I’m super excited to experience the increased acceleration and try out the new all-wheel-drive system”.
10. Tatiana Calderon
The Colombian driver tested last year during the women’s test in Madrid with Maserati MSG Racing. This time, she’s back with Lola Yamaha ABT. She is the second woman to take part in that rookie test. She is currently in her second season in the IMSA SportsCar Championship for Gradient Racing. “I’ve been impressed with the progress this new team has made so far and that is a testament of the quality of the people behind it. There’s a great atmosphere with everyone pushing in the same direction […]”, she declared.
11. Thomas Preining
Not a new name in the Formula E paddock as the 26-year-old Austrian driver took part in two other rookie tests – one in Marrakesh in 2020 and one last year in Berlin. The DTM racer will still race with Tag Heuer Porsche.