Envision Racing’s long-serving test and development driver, Alice Powell, is preparing to get back behind the wheel later this month. The British racer will participate in the second official All-Women’s Formula E test at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia on 31 October.
Powell first sampled Formula E machinery during the 2020 Rookie Test in Marrakesh, driving for the then Envision Virgin Racing squad. Since then, she has become a key part of Envision’s operation, supporting the team as a simulator and development driver since Season 7. Her role has been vital in helping fine-tune car performance and support driver preparation ahead of race weekends.
Experience Across Series
Powell started her motorsport journey in 2007, in the Ginetta Junior Championship. Just two years later she moved into single-seaters. In 2010, she took the BARC title with Manor Racing and made history as the first woman to win a Formula Renault championship.
Since then, she has raced in a wide range of categories, including GP3, British F3, the Jaguar I-PACE eTrophy, and the W Series. In the latter, Powell claimed multiple wins and podiums across four seasons.
Last year, Powell joined Envision Racing at the inaugural All-Women’s Test in Madrid—the first of its kind in an FIA World Championship. Despite a shortened programme, caused by heavy flooding in Valencia, she completed valuable running and provided the team with crucial feedback.
Looking Ahead to Valencia
Ahead of her return, Powell said she’s eager to build on last year’s experience: “I’m really looking forward to driving the Gen3 Evo again with Envision Racing, this time getting double the track time available compared to last year.” She added, “I’ll be doing all that I can to provide the team with useful data and feedback to assist them going into the new season.”
Team’s Confidence in Powell
Envision Racing’s Managing Director and CTO, Sylvain Filippi, praised Powell’s ongoing contribution to the team,
“It’s great to have Alice back out in our car for the second official All-Women’s test. She has been a brilliant asset to our team for a number of years now, supporting on the simulator as well as during selected tests. We are confident that she will contribute valuable data for us to review ahead of the first race of Season 12.”
Preparing for Season 12
Formula E recently confirmed the pre-season testing schedule at Valencia, running from 27–30 October, with the All-Women’s Test concluding the event on 31 October. This year’s edition will feature double the track time compared to last season, giving female drivers from across the motorsport world the chance to gain valuable experience behind the wheel of Formula E machinery.
For Powell, the Valencia test marks another important step in her long-term involvement with Envision Racing and another opportunity to contribute to the team’s preparations for Season 12, which kicks off in São Paulo on 6 December.