Formula E will for the first time have a significant female representation on the track. It will be during the practice tests that will take place one day after the ePrix of Riyadh, on December the 15th at the urban circuit of Ad Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.

Precisely, it will be there, at the Persian Gulf kingdom that seven of the fastest female pilots on the planet will compete. And they will do it aboard the Gen2, the new generation of single-seaters that are being released for the fifth season (2018/2019) of the electric championship.

Al Qubaisi, a pioneer

The female line up of the Formula E tests sessions will include pioneering Amba Al Qubaisi as part of the Virgin team. The driver from the UAE was one of the first women in motorsport in her country and the Middle East. Alongside her will race other prominent competitors from around the world.

Calderón, Sauber F1 test diver

Tatiana Calderón, for instance, a tester of the Sauber F1 team will be at the wheel of a DS Techeetah. The Colombian racer has recently (November 17-18) taken part in two days of testing with a Sauber-Ferrari C32 V8 at Fiorano (Italy).

“I am looking forward to trying the DS E-TENSE FE 19 in December.  Formula E is a very exciting discipline and this test will allow me to get an idea of what this category is like, it will be the first time I have ever driven a fully-electric car inside a circuit. I am curious to find out how I have to adapt my driving style to be more efficient with the car” – explained Calderón.

“I am very happy to be able to work with DS Techeetah, especially after the great results they obtained last season. I hope to be able to help them in the first test of the season “ – concluded the South American driver.

Simona and Virgin

Susie Wolff, head of the Venturi team, has signed Swiss driver Simona de Silvestro to drive one of their cars. The Briton Katherine Legge will compete with a car from Mahindra, while her fellow countrywoman, Jamie Chadwick, a Formula 3 driver and winner of the British GTS, will compete with the NIO squad.

Finally, Dutch contestant, Beitske Visser will drive a BMW of the Andretti squad. The remaining teams have not yet confirmed their drivers.

‘Vision 2030 Initiative’ program

Initially, Formula E organisers had programmed tests to be carried out using only a single car. However, in order to give greater visibility and a better chance for drivers to show their talent, they changed their initial plans. With the exception of Mercedes HWA, Audi, Jaguar and Dragon Penske, each team will have a second car for the women.

And it is all thanks to the ‘Vision 2030 Initiative’ program promoted by Saudi Arabia and the Formula E organisation. Once again the ‘silent racing’ discipline has shown to be at the technological and the social leading-edge.