Formula E's All-Women's Test Marks Progress: For Drivers and the Championship Itself

Chloe Chambers, fastest in Valencia test

At Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, fourteen of the world’s top female drivers took on Formula E’s latest innovation – the GEN3 Evo. The all-electric championship and the FIA hosted the second-ever All-Women’s Test, granting six hours of uninterrupted track time, double that of last year’s debut session. 

It was a day that blended performance and purpose. For the drivers, it meant valuable experience in one of motorsports’ most technically complex cars. For the series, it was a statement - progress measured not by slogans, but by lap times. 

Mahindra Racing’s Chloe Chambers topped the timing sheets with a 1:22.767, narrowly beating Abbi Pulling of Nissan by just .064s. Bianca Bustamante, representing CUPRA Kiro, followed closely in third. Several others, including Alice Powell, Jamie Chadwick, and Tatiana Calderón, set competitive laps within tenths of Formula E’s full-time drivers who tested earlier in the week – a clear indicator of the potential in the paddock. 

Why It Matters for Formula E 

While the initiative is designed to open doors for women, its broader impact reaches deep into Formula E’s identity as a forward-thinking, technology-driven world championship. The All-Women’s Test isn’t simply an exercise in inclusion – it’s an investment in performance and in the sport’s future. 

By giving women access to the same machinery and technical infrastructure as the official grid, Formula E is expanding its development base, increasing simulator feedback diversity, and ultimately strengthening its competitive ecosystem. Teams gather new data,engineers refine setups through fresh driving styles, and sponsors see a championship actively evolving with global values. 

Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds called the test “a strategic milestone,” emphasizing how the added mileage this year helped drivers and teams alike. The extended session produced rapid improvement across the field, underscoring how experience – not ability – remains the biggest gap to close. 

The results supported that point: nine of the women were within tenths per sector of official competitors, and several improved consistently throughout the day. The consistency, professionalism, and adaptability displayed were a strong signal to teams – that talent is already here, waiting for the opportunity to compete. 

Beyond Representation: Building Sustainable Pathways 

The test also served as a complete immersion into the life of a Formula E driver. Each participant joined engineering meetings, media sessions, and post-session debriefs – gaining first-hand insight into what it takes to compete at this level. This holistic approach helps bridge the gap between driver potential and professional readiness, something that has long been missing in the progression ladder for women in single-seater racing.For Formula E, this is part of a large ecosystem strategy: by nurturing drivers through authentic integration rather than isolated showcase events, the series strengthens its own depth and reputation. More drivers capable of handling Formula E machinery means a richer talent pool for future races, testing programs, and development roles. 

In many ways, this initiative also reflects the championship’s ethos. Formula E has always stood at the intersection of technology and transformation – pioneering electric racing, urban sustainability, and now, meaningful inclusion. The All-Women’s Test shows that innovation off-track can be just as crucial as the breakthroughs happening under the carbon fiber. 

The Road Ahead 

As the championship heads toward the Season 12 opener in São Paulo, the takeaway from Valencia is clear: this isn’t just progress for women in racing – it’s progress for the sport itself. By providing the time, tools, and trust to demonstrate capability, Formula E is building something that benefits every layer of its ecosystem, from engineers to audiences. 

The drivers who took to the track this week proved more than pace. They proved that access transforms potential into performance – and that when the playing field is level, the future of racing looks brighter, faster, and more diverse than ever. 

Written by: Camaelia Barnes