On Monday, 14th July, the next generation of Formula E drivers will have the opportunity to showcase their talent at the 2025 Formula E Rookie Test in Berlin.
What is the Rookie Test?
Each competing team in Formula E nominates two ‘rookie’ drivers who have previously never participated in an E-Prix; these drivers have their shot at driving the latest GEN3 Evo electric cars.
The test will be hosted at the Berlin Tempelhof Airport Circuit, where drivers will get behind the wheel for a full six-hour session; the sessions will be divided into 2 three-hour sessions.
The Rookie Tests have consistently served as a successful route to Formula E, with all transitioning from rookie tests to full-time positions. Some notable drivers include:
- Championship Contender Taylor Barnard (NEOM McLaren)
- Multi-Race Winner Nick Cassidy (Jaguar TCS Racing)
- Jake Hughes (Maserati MSG Racing)
- Max Günther (DS PENSKE)
- 2021 Formula E Champion Nyck de Vries (Mahindra Racing)
Who are the rookies?
Andretti
Jak Crawford: A Formula 2 driver currently racing for DAMS Lucas Oil and a part of the Aston Martin Young Driver Development Program. Crawford also serves as the Reserve and Development driver for the Andretti Formula E team. With a recent win at the Formula 2 Feature Race in Silverstone, Crawford will now focus on the Andretti team for the Berlin race weekend.
Frederik Vesti: The Danish driver who serves as the Test and Reserve driver at Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team was a title contender at Formula 2 and a multiple-race winner. Vesti remains a seasoned and nuanced driver as he returns to Formula E, representing Andretti for his second Rookie Test after testing for Mahindra Racing last year.
Cupra Kiro
Bianca Bustamante: Former F1 Academy race winner and McLaren Development driver, the Filipino driver currently races for the GB3 Championship in 2025. Bustamante has previously represented NEOM McLaren Racing at last year’s Formula E Women’s Test in Madrid and set the third-fastest time.
Callum Voisin: At just 19 years old, he has competed in the FIA Formula 3 Championship and celebrated his first victory in the series at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. He accomplished a Grand Slam by earning pole position and recording the fastest lap. Voisin will race alongside Bustamante in his first Rookie Test.
DS Penske
Danil Kvyat: The ex-Formula 1 driver has participated in rookie sessions previously, including the Rookie Test in Berlin with NIO 333, and drove the DS E-TENSE FE25 during the FP session at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit earlier this season.
Nikita Bedrin: Signed to the Penske Driver Development Program, Bedrin is a multiple winner in international karting. He gained attention by excelling in the 2020 WSK Super Master Series and recently secured his first FIA Formula 3 Sprint Race victory in 2024, showcasing his talent in junior single-seater racing.
Envision Racing
Zak O’Sullivan: O’Sullivan who has supported the team throughout Season 11 by helping them through simulators and providing valuable data for drivers Sebastien Buemi and Robin Frijns. The British driver has played a key role in the development of the team throughout this season.
Johnathan Hoggard: Hoggard has been a winner and podium finisher in British Formula 4 and Formula 3. His exceptional performances earned him the BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award, which included a Formula 1 Test as part of the recognition.
Jaguar TCS Racing
Jamie Chadwick: Decorated Female Driver Jamie Chadwick will participate for Jaguar in both the Women’s Test in Madrid and the Rookie Practice Session in Jeddah this Formula E Season. Three-time W Series Champion Chadwick has had a remarkable year in 2025 racing ELMS-LMP2.
Leonardo Fornaroli: Currently driving for Invicta Racing in Formula 2, Fornaroli will make his Formula E debut in Berlin. The driver recently secured his first Formula 2 victory in Silverstone.
Lola Yamaha ABT
Alessandro Giusti: The 18-year-old driver racing for in the Formula 3 Championship is set to make his debut in Formula E with the GEN3 Evo at the upcoming test; he won the French F4 Championship in 2022 after debuting in 2021 and joined the Williams Racing Driver Academy in 2024.
Hugh Barter: Barter is set to return to Formula E after his participation in the Berlin Rookie Test in 2023. In his role as Simulator Test Driver, he has collaborated closely with the team to enhance car setup and strategy, and this opportunity will allow him to further develop his on-track experience.
Mahindra Racing
Kush Maini: Maini makes his return for the Berlin Rookie Test, having made a strong impression by posting the fastest time during the Rookie Free Practice session in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This marked his first experience with the Mahindra M11Electro and Formula E’s GEN3 Evo.
Dino Beganovic: Part of the Ferrari Driver Academy, he has proven himself as a race winner and championship contender in Formula 4, Formula Regional, and FIA Formula 3. He is currently racing in Formula 2.
Maserati MSG Racing
Théo Pourchaire: The 2023 Formula 2 Champion previously participated in the FP session in Jeddah earlier this season. Upon his return, Pourchaire remarked upon hearing the news and expressed his chance to gain more experience and keep learning in this setting.
Arthur Leclerc: Leclerc was a part of the team during its Venturi Racing era, serving as a Development Driver in 2017 and then promoted to Test and Reserve Driver in the 2019-2020 season.
NEOM McLaren Racing
Alex Dunne: Development and Reserve driver for NEOM, Dunne currently races in the Formula 2 Championship for McLaren. He also led the Championship at one point.
Ella Lloyd: F1 Academy and British F4 driver Lloyd will test alongside Dunne after having an impressive run in F1 Academy and securing a win in Jeddah.
Nissan
Abbi Pulling: 2024 F1 Academy Champion, Abbi Pulling will return to Formula E after setting the fastest time in the All-Women’s Test last year in Madrid. Pulling currently competes in the British GB3 Championship.
Gabriele Minì: With a Top 10 finish in last year’s Rookie Test, Minì is back for his third run in a Formula E car. Read more here.
Tag Heuer Porsche
Elia Weiss: Having the youngest driver out of all teams, 16-year-old Weiss will make his debut in Formula E as an up-and-coming German racer, he’s also a part of Motorsport Team Germany.
Ayhancan Güven: After being selected for the junior team in 2020, Güven became a part of the Porsche family. He currently races for Manthey EMA in the DTM. Earlier this year at Oschersleben and in Zandvoort, he secured his first two DTM victories in the Porsche 911 GT3 R.
Why the Rookie Test Matters
The Rookie Test is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it serves as a crucial pathway for driver development, as many past participants, such as Nick Cassidy and Nyck de Vries, have transitioned to full-time Formula E seats.
Additionally, teams utilize this session to collect valuable data, experimenting with car setups, validating simulator performance, and gathering feedback on tires and powertrains.
The event also highlights emerging talent, featuring a diverse mix of F1 Juniors, Academy drivers, and GT champions, creating an unparalleled depth of skill.
Moreover, the Rookie Test promotes diversity within the sport, showcasing a strong representation of women drivers and individuals from various global backgrounds, thereby pushing the boundaries of Formula E.