Jordan's Track Talk

Tag: Berlin Rookie Test

  • Crawford and Vesti confirmed for Rookie Test

    Andretti have announced that Jak Crawford and Frederik Vesti will represent the Andretti Formula E team at the official Season 11 Berlin Rookie Test, taking place on Monday 14th July.

    Crawford returns to the Andretti Porsche 99X Electric cockpit for his third outing with the team, continuing to build on his experience as the Andretti Formula E’s team’s Reserve and Development Driver.

    The American impressed in his previous appearances at the 2024 Berlin Rookie Test, where he finished second overall, and the 2025 Jeddah E-Prix Free Practice 0 session, where he topped the timing sheets.

    Joining him in Berlin is Danish driver, Frederik Vesti, who will return to the all-electric World Championship having previously tested for Mahindra Racing at last year’s Rookie Test.

    A multiple race winner in Formula 2 and a former title contender, Vesti brings added pedigree through his role as a test and reserve driver for Mercedes AMG F1 team.

    Currently competing in the IMSA Sports Car Championship with Cadillac Whelen, the Danish driver’s experience at multiple levels of motorsport will serve him well as he builds on his previous Formula E outing and tackles the challenges of the GEN3 Evo.

    We’re pleased to confirm Jak and Frederik as our rookie test drivers for Berlin. Jak continues to impress us with both his pace and professionalism, and having him back for a third outing will allow him to build even further on the work he’s already done with our simulator and engineering teams. We’re also very excited to welcome Frederik to Andretti Formula E. His motorsport experience across a variety of categories and his reserve driver role with the Mercedes-AMG F1 team make him an excellent addition to our rookie lineup. It’s a seriously strong pairing, and we’re looking forward to seeing what both drivers can deliver.
    Roger Griffiths, Team Principal.

    I’m looking forward to getting back the car for another outing. It feels like it hasn’t been that long ago that I was driving in Free Practice 0 in Jeddah, so I’m excited to get back out and put in some good work for the team. I really enjoyed driving the track in Berlin at last year’s Rookie Test and felt I performed well, so very much looking forward to getting some more laps under my belt.
    Jak Crawford on the news.

    I’m extremely happy and proud to be participating in the Rookie Test. I did the one-day test last year and had a good experience in the Formula E car, but this time around with a bit more experience and with a great team such as Andretti behind me, it’s going to be a really exciting day for me to explore the all new GEN3 Evo, work with engineers and of course, learn from the team. Hopefully, I can also contribute to some of the team’s different test items throughout the day.
    Frederik Vesti on the news.

  • O’Sullivan to drive for Envision in Berlin

    Zak O’Sullivan will be getting his second chance at electric racing machinery after being announced in Silverstone-based Envision Racing’s line-up for the Formula E rookie test in Berlin.

    Zak, got his first taste of the series’ new Gen3 Evo cars when he competed in the first rookie test of the season at Jeddah in February.

    He is now getting his second chance behind the wheel, when Formula E holds its traditional post-race test after the Berlin E-Prix.

    The 20 year old, is Envision Racing’s sim driver, which is a founding member of the championship and the 2022 – 23 teams’ champion.
    It runs sophomore season champion Sebastien Buemi and Robin Frijns in its two Jaguar I-Type 7 machines.

    After he hits the track in Berlin, Zak returns to Japan for round six and seven of the Super Formula Championship at Fuji speedway.
    He currently sits 15th in the Championship with 4 rounds remaining.

    I’m really looking forward to stepping back into Envision Racing’s Formula E car at the Berlin rookie test. I drove the car in Jeddah and really enjoyed it, so it will be nice having a full day in the car in Berlin to learn more about this car and racing series.
    Zak on the news.

  • TAG Heuer Porsche announce Rookie Drivers

    TAG Heuer Porsche will field Ayhancan Guven and Elia Weiss at the upcoming Formula E rookie test in Berlin.

    Guven has been in the Porsche fold since 2020, when he joined the Porsche junior team following a successful karting and sim racing career – the latter involved being teammates with Max Verstappen.

    The 27 year old currently races for Manthey EMA in DTM, and won his first two races earlier this season at Oschersleben and Zandvoort.

    Weiss meanwhile, at 16, will be the youngest driver to drive a Formula E car when he runs in Berlin. He got the required international B licence issued by the DMSB upon turning 16.

    The German won last year’s German Karting Championship and is racing in Italian Formula 4 this season with Cram Motorsport.
    He is also a member of Motorsport Team Germany, an initiative that includes simulator tests in the motorsport departments of Audi, BMW, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche.

    This is a pretty unique opportunity for me. As a driver with a GT racing background, sitting in the middle of the car without a roof over my head is an experience I’m really looking forward to. I was at the track in Berlin four years ago – as a spectator. To be able to drive there now is, of course, fantastic. The Porsche 99X Electric has a lot of systems I’m not familiar with, which will probably be the biggest challenge. The preparation takes place in the simulator in Weissach. As a sim racer, however, it’s easy for me to transfer my impressions of the virtual track to the real thing as quickly as possible.
    Guven on the news.

    I’m incredibly proud – no doubt everyone dreams of being able to drive for Porsche. The fact that I get to do this is insane. It’s a huge step for me, which is why I have a lot of respect for it. I’ve already practiced in the simulator in Weissach. It was all really positive: I was able to get to know the systems, felt right at home there, and got on really well with the engineers. Other than that, I’m preparing myself as best I can. In a Formula E car, you need a lot of strength and fitness, so I’m training particularly hard in those areas at the moment.
    Weiss on driving for Porsche.

    There are strict limits on budgets and test days in Formula E, which is why the teams are somewhat reluctant to invest resources in drivers that they find it difficult to assess because they have never driven this kind of vehicle before. However, we do need to see external drivers in our cars: The energy management is complex, which means that the mental challenges in particular are incredibly tough in Formula E. This reduces the pool of potential drivers. So, it makes sense for the Rookie Test to be mandatory for all teams. Ayhancan was part of our own junior squad, is known to us, and is currently performing well in the DTM. Elia comes from the Motorsport Team Germany, which is supported by Porsche Motorsport. While he was a guest in our simulator, we were particularly impressed by how he interacted with the engineers. Elia turned 16 just a few days ago, but he comes across as a much more mature racing driver.
    Porsche Team Principal, Florian Modlinger.

  • Nikita Bedrin to driver for DS PENSKE

    DS Penske have signed Nikita Bedrin to the Penske Driver Development Program.

    Bedrin is a multiple race winner in international karting competitions, he made headlines by dominating the 2020 WSK Super Master Series (OK), where he won heats, qualifying sessions, prefinals, and finals over the final two rouundsa.

    The 19 year old stepped up to single seaters in 2021, where he competed in the Formula 4 UAE Championship, which saw him take a podium in the second round of the season.
    However, his campaign ended early the following round as he sustained a hand injury.

    The main campaign for him that year was Italian and ADAC F4 series. He scored points regularly in Italy, with the season highlight being a triple of podiums at Imola Circuit. With another podium to his name the following round, he finish eighth in the overall standings.

    This season AIX Racing retained Bedrin for a second year in a row for the opening round of Formula 3, where he scored 17 points.

    As part of the PENSKE Driver Development Program, Bedrin will work closely with the DS PENSKE engineering team, contributing to simulator development, and gaining valuable insight into the technical and strategic demands of electric racing at the elite level.

    I’m incredibly excited to join DS PENSKE for the Berlin Rookie Test. t’s a great opportunity to experience Formula E up close and work with such a forward-thinking and competitive team. I’m grateful to be part of the Penske Driver Development Program, it is a huge milestone in my career. I am thankful for the trust the team has placed in me and I can’t wait to get started.
    Bedrin on the news.

    We’re thrilled to welcome Nikita into our development structure. His talent is undeniable, and we believe he has the mindset and dedication to thrive within the DS PENSKE environment.
    Deputy Team Principal, Phil Charles.

  • Dunne completes NEOM McLaren Berlin Rookie Test

    The NEOM McLaren Formula E Team confirms that Alex Dunne will be taking part in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship Berlin E-Prix Rookie Test on the 14th July, alongside fellow McLaren Driver Development member, Ella Lloyd.

    Dunne, from Ireland, made his single seater racing debut in 2021, competing in the Spanish F4 Championship and finishing third in his first race. After moving to Formula 4, Alex continued to deliver impressive results, becoming the 2022 British F4 Champion as well as the Italian F4 vice-champion.

    In 2023, Alex’s campaign saw him finish second in the GB3 Championship with five victories and eight podiums across the season. In the same year, he also made his Macau Grand Prix debut, finishing second in qualifying.

    Alex raced with MP Motorsport in the 2024 FIA Formula 3 Championship, scoring two podiums and a further seven top 10 finishes.

    Alongside his duties as reserve and development driver, Alex currently competes in Formula 2, where he sits second in the Championship and has 2 wins to his name already this season.

    I’m very excited to be getting another opportunity in the GEN3 Evo at the Berlin Rookie Test next month. Since I joined the team as Reserve and Development Driver, I’ve learnt so much about what it takes to get the maximum out of these cars, and I can’t wait to get out on track again.
    Dunne on the news.

    Having already played a crucial role in supporting the team this season as our Reserve and Development Driver, I’m very pleased that Alex will have another opportunity behind the wheel of the GEN3 Evo at the Berlin Rookie Test. Alex has shown to have great pace and skill in Formula 2 this season, and I hope he will take this confidence with him to make the most of this outing in Berlin.
    Ian James, Team Principal of NEOM McLaren Formula E Team.

  • Cupra Kiro sign Bianca Bustamante as Development Driver

    CUPRA KIRO have signed Bianca Bustamante as their official Development Driver.

    After impressing on the Asian karting scene, Bustamante, who hails from the Philippines, stepped up to professional competition in 2022 and made an immediate mark in junior single-seaters.

    The 20 year old raced in w Series before joining F1 Academy where, from 2023 to 2024, she represented PREMA Racing and ART Grand Prix.
    After securing two victories and a total of five podiums in a highly competitive field, Bianca stepped up to the hotly contested GB3 Championship for 2025.

    Bustamante has previous Formula E experience after representing NEOM McLaren and setting the third-fastest time in Formula E’s Women’s Test at Jarama in 2024.

    As Development Driver, Bustamnate made her first official appearance in CUPRA KIRO colours at the Jakarta weekend, where she shadowed full-time drivers Dan Ticktum and David Beckmann while embedding herself in the team.

    Her first appearance as a CUPRA KIRO driver will follow at the Berlin E-Prix where she will participate in Formula E’s annual rookie test at the Tempelhof Circuit on 14th July.

    I’m really excited to join CUPRA KIRO as the team’s Development Driver as I continue my Formula E journey. In the very short time that we’ve been working together, it’s been incredible to experience the team’s disruptive approach to racing in action and to see the team’s hunger and desire for success first-hand. Working with Dan, David, and the team is an invaluable opportunity for me at this stage of my career, and I’m looking forward to applying everything I learn into the GB3 Championship in 2025. I’m excited to absorb everything on-site in Jakarta and of course, to drive the team’s current Season 11 car in Berlin this July.
    Bustamante on the news.

    On behalf of the team, I’m delighted to welcome Bianca to CUPRA KIRO. Since stepping up to single seater racing only three years ago, Bianca has not only proven that she is a force to be reckoned with but has become one of the leading voices in promoting female participation in motorsport by widening the industry’s talent pipeline. Opening and fostering opportunities for next generation racing drivers is integral to the future of our sport, and while we’re looking forward to seeing Bianca’s contribution to CUPRA KIRO, we’re equally excited to support her own development as an athlete. I can’t wait to see her embed herself in the team over the coming weeks ahead of her Rookie Test outing in Berlin.
    Russell O’Hagan, Chief Operating Officer, CUPRA KIRO.

  • Ella Lloyd for Berlin Rookie Test

    The NEOM McLaren Formula E Team has announced that McLaren Driver development programme and F1 Academy driver Ella Lloyd will take part in the Berlin Rookie Test, on Monday 14th July.

    Ella, from Wales, began racing competitively in the Ginetta Junior Championship before competing in the Ginetta GT Championship the following year, finishing vice-champion.

    At the beginning of 2024, Ella competed in the Formula Winter Series, securing the Female Driver Trophy multiple times.
    She competed in British F4, completing the season with three P2 result, one P3 and multiple points finishes.

    In October last year, Ella joined the McLaren Driver Development Programme and represents the team in the 2025 F1 Academy season.
    Her participation in the series has already proved fruitful with a race victory in Jeddah, 3 more podiums to her name and 67 points overall from just four race weekends. Alongside her F1 Academy programme, Ella is laso competing in her second season of British F4.

    Berlin will mark Ella’s second opportunity in Gen3 Evo machinery, following her first outing at the Season 11 pre-season Women’s test in Madrid, where she impressed the team with her feedback and ability to get to grips with the machinery quickly.

    I’m really looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the GEN3 Evo car again with the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team. I learnt so much at the Women’s Test in Madrid and I’m excited to have another opportunity to get out on track and put all the preparation I’ve been doing in the simulator into practice.
    Lloyd on the news.

    Ella is a very exciting young talent, and I’m thrilled that she will be back in the GEN3 Evo at the Berlin Rookie Test. Having worked alongside her over the course of this season, Ella’s professionalism and eagerness to learn left an impression on the whole team. I’m sure that she will continue to build on her knowledge and experience when we head out to Berlin.
    Ian James, Team Principal.

  • Fittipaldi & Van Der Linde to drive for Jaguar

    Jaguar TCS Racing will be welcoming back Sheldon van der Linde for the Rookie Test, alongside new debutant Enzo Fittipaldi.

    The team will be bring back Sheldon van der Linde, who represented the Jaguar squad during last season’s Berlin test as well as last month in Misano during the Rookie Free Practice.

    The South African, who is the younger brother of ABT CUPRA driver Kelvin van der Linde, showed some impressive pace and went fastest in the opening session of the Berlin test last year.

    As well as being the 2022 DTM Champion, van der Linde also won the South Africa Polo Cup Championship and Volkswagen Cup South Africa during his younger career.
    He was also a part of BMW i Andretti Motorsport as a test and reserve driver, during the seventh Formula E season before joining Jaguar as their Test Driver from Season 9.

    Alongside him will be Brazilian racer, Enzo Fittipaldi, who will be getting behind the wheel of the Jaguar I-TYPE 6 for the first time.

    Fittipaldi comes from a long line of motorsport legends, with him also having a very impressive start to his 2024 racing season.
    The 22 year old won the FIA Formula 2 Feature Race in Jeddah with Van Amersfoort Racing, as well as picking up a podium in the Sprint Race that same weekend.

    I’m very excited to get back for my fourth test with the Jaguar TCS Racing team within one year – I feel a bit of a veteran at these rookie tests by now. Formula E is a really exciting championship to be racing in, one I hope to be competing in in the future, so hopefully this is a stepping stone to that opportunity.
    Sheldon on the news.

    This will be my first time driving a Formula E race car and I am really looking forward to the opportunity. I’ve spent some time in the simulator at the team’s headquarters in Kidlington to give myself the best chance to have a successful test in Berlin. The rookie test is a great opportunity for young drivers to try an all-electric motorsport category and I can’t wait to get some experience.
    Fittipaldi on the news.

  • NEOM McLaren announce Rookies for Berlin

    NEOM McLaren announce Ugo Ugochukwu and Gregoire Saucy for the Berlin Rookie Test.

    Ugochukwu, from New York City, US, has had an impressive junior career to date and is currently a member of the McLaren Driver Development programme, having initially signed with the team in 2021.

    In his short career so far, he’s sealed the FIA OK-Junior European Karting Championship title, amongst other karting achievements.
    Moving up to single seaters, he finished his rookie season third overall and winning the Rookie trophy, and his second season as Italian Formula 4 vice champion and Euro 4 Champion, where he grabbed a total of 11 wins and 44 podiums to his name.

    This season he is competing in the Formula Regional European Championship and at selected rounds of the GB3 Championship, whilst continuing his progression with the McLaren Driver Development programme where he will be supported in his journey from junior motorsport to professional racing driver.
    Ugochukwu has already spent time in the Formula E simulator at the MTC as part of his current role.

    Gregoire Saucy, from Switzerland, began racing on his family kart track at three years old and quickly established himself as a talent, where he became the youngest licensed competitor at just seven years old.

    His early career saw him regularly on the podium throughout karting championships and in 2015 he progressed to single seaters, claiming his first title in the Formula Regional Championship in 2021.
    He currently competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship with United Autosports, in partnership with McLaren Motorsport.

    I’m looking forward to the Berlin Rookie Test in May with the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team. It’s an amazing opportunity to take the Nissan e-4ORCE 04 to track and I’m grateful to be given this chance through the McLaren Driver Development programme. I’m excited to learn and develop my driving further with a new category of car. I’ll be working closely with the great team at Bicester and MTC in the build-up, getting prepared for the test and making sure I’m as prepared as possible to help the team.
    Ugo on the news.

    I’m really excited to start this new challenge. It will be my first time in a Formula E car. I’ve been driving single seater cars up until last year, before changing direction for this season, competing in GT3 and LMP2, so it will be nice to step into a single seater again. I want to thank the NEOM McLaren team for this opportunity. I’m looking forward to discovering Formula E first hand. See you in Berlin.
    Saucy on the news.

    It’s great to see that Formula E is continuing to provide opportunities for talented drivers to show what they are capable of, by hosting another official rookie test this season. It is also a good way for us as teams to evaluate these drivers in the current GEN3 machinery. I’m especially excited about our line-up for this test; both Ugo and Grégoire have stood out in the categories they’ve competed in to date. I look forward to seeing them hit the track in Berlin.
    Ian James, Team Principal & Managing Director.

  • Ricardo Feller to make Formula E debut with ABT CUPRA

    DTM star, Ricardo Feller is set for an outing at the Berlin Rookie Test with ABT CUPRA.

    Fresh from the podium of DTM, Feller will be making his debut for ABT CUPRA team at the rookie test on the 13th May.
    The Swiss driver will take over the number 51 car for one day, which is normally driven by Nico Mueller in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

    Feller is in his third year in DTM for ABT and started the new season with a podium finish at Oschersleben. Last year he finished 3rd overall with ABT in DTM. Not only this he also competed in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Sprint Cup where he finished 1st.

    To prepare for the new challenge, Feller will be spending a day at the simulator in Kempten to familiarise himself with the track in Berlin and the car’s systems.

    We have already experienced victories and many great moments with Ricardo in the DTM – so he has more than earned his trip into the electrified world and we are all looking forward to seeing him in the Formula E car. Ricardo is a great race driver, he knows the team well and will certainly be able to support us perfectly in our test program – but of course he should also have a lot of fun during the day in Berlin.
    ABT CEO and Team Principal, Thomas Biermaier.

    I’ve been following the team’s upward trend closely and now I’m looking forward to being a part of it. I want to help with the development – if my times in Berlin are reasonably good, that’s even better.
    Feller on the news.

  • DS PENSKE confirm Edgar & Shwartzman for Rookie Test

    DS PENSKE have announced Jonny Edgar will drive for the team alongside Robert Shwartzman at the Berlin Rookie Test.

    Jonny Edgar is a British racing driver who is set to compete in the European Le Mans Series with AO by TF.
    Edgar has been busy since he went into single seaters back in 2019, in 2020 competing in ADAC Formula 4 Championship where he won the championship, he also competed in Italian F4 Championship in the same year where he came fourth.

    He has been racing in FIA Formula 3 since 2021 until 2023, where he only managed one win and one podium. But in 2022 he pulled out of a couple rounds due to being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.

    Robert Shwartzman, reserve driver for the Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 team, will continue his work alongside the DS PENSKE squad at the Berlin Rookie test after appearing in Misano earlier this season.

    I am thrilled to get the chance to drive a Formula E car, and I thank Jay Penske and the team for giving me this amazing opportunity. As a driver I am always keen to be able to gain experience with different cars and this test offers me the chance to try a new kind of single-seater! This championship is like no other, very exciting and I cannot wait to be behind the wheels of this stunning car.
    Edgar on the news.

  • Powell and Vanthoor set for Rookie Test

    Alice Powell and Dries Vanthoor will line-up for Envision Racing at the Rookie Test.

    Powell, has played a crucial role for many years with Envision Racing as the Test & Development driver, and previously tested the Gen2 in Marrakesh and Valencia.

    The British driver, who has five W Series victories to her name, has completed shakedowns in the Gen3 car but will soon embark on her first full day of running in Berlin.

    Dries Vanthoor is currently racing in the World Endurance Championship, who has an impressive racing CV.
    This includes a win in the LMGTE category at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, this test with Envision will mark his debut in Formula E.

    It’s a fantastic opportunity to take part in the rookie test day in Berlin. I’ve been working with the team for a long time and have completed a lot of simulator work over the past few seasons, so to get the chance to have a full day in the GEN3 on track is going to be really useful for me, and hopefully also for the team.
    Powell on the news.

    I’m really looking forward to my first ever Formula E test. It’s a great championship, and I’m excited to try out the Gen3 car with Envision Racing. It’s a good learning opportunity to try out a different discipline of motorsport, especially the advanced technologies in Formula E.
    Vanthoor on the news.

    We are happy to have two very talented drivers step into our cars for the rookie test day. Dries and Alice have both achieved a lot in their careers, and we’re looking forward to seeing them out on track in Berlin.
    Sylvain Filippi, Managing Director and CTO of Envision Racing.

  • Vesti to line-up for Mahindra at Berlin Rookie Test

    Mahindra Racing will field Frederik Vesti in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s upcoming Berlin Rookie Test on 13th May.

    The Dane is among the standout talents to emerge from the FIA’s single-seater pathway in recent times, where he has grabbed an impressive 37 race victories and 81 podium finishes across stints in Formula 4, Formula Regional, FIA Formula 3 and FIA Formula 2.

    The 22 year old from Langelund narrowly finished runner-up in Formula 2 last season where he scored an impressive six victories and 10 podiums.

    Since departing Formula 2, Mercedes AMG PETRONAS F1 Team Reserve Driver Vesti has been a pillar of the team’s simulator programme, and concentrated his racing efforts on sportscars in the European Le Mans Series but will get his first experience of the Gen3 with Mahindra Racing in Berlin.

    Lining up alongside one of Formula 2’s current leading lights and of Mahindra’s current Reserve Drivers, Kush Maini.

    In preparation, he has already visited Mahindra’s purpose-built factory in Banbury for a seat fit, and to begin building up his knowledge and understanding the car on the team’s simulator.

    First of all, I’d like to say a big thank you to Fred for giving me this opportunity. It’s a great chance to test, and to prove myself as a rookie in a new championship. It’s an amazing opportunity to learn, which is only going to help me grow as a driver. It’s what motivates me, I’m really looking forward to trying the GEN3 Formula E car, which I understand is quite a challenge. That’s probably what I like most about Formula E, it is challenging and the fact it’s a competitive World Championship that attracts some of the best drivers – and teams – is a great platform for me. I’ve finished up my preparations together with the team, so now I’m counting down the days until Berlin!
    Vesti on the news.

    We’re delighted to welcome Frederik to the team for the Berlin Rookie Test. This event is important for the team, in order to continue our testing programme and development work, but there is an equal focus on giving new talent the opportunity to experience the world of Formula E. He’s young, enthusiastic, and very quick – all the right traits for us to give him a chance in the car. His record in the junior categories speaks for itself. I’m confident that, with a drivers of Frederik’s abilities and experience, and together with Kush, we will be able to have a productive test and keep the team moving forward from there.
    Frederic Bertrand, Mahindra Racing CEO and Team Principal.

  • Collet & Mini to drive for Nissan in Rookie Test

    Nissan will field Caio Collet and Gabriele Mini in the Berlin Rookie Test, set for Monday 13th May, straight after the Berlin E-Prix double header.

    Collet got his first taste of the Nissan e-4ORCE O4 during rookie free practice at the Misano E-Prix earlier this month.
    The Brazilian racer has been working with the team since the beginning of Season 10, helping to prepare for upcoming events in the simulator.

    Collet has a strong junior CV, having taken a dominant French F4 title in 2018 and finishing second in the highly competitive Formula Renault Eurocup in 2020.

    That earned him a seat in FIA Formula 3 for 2021. In the three years that followed, he was a regular feature at the front of the pack, taking three victories and several podiums, alongside his membership of the Alpine Academy.
    This season, in combination with his reserve and simulator role with Nissan Formula E Team, Collet is tackling the full Indy NXT campaign.

    Meanwhile, fellow F3 race winner Mini is part of the current Alpine Academy and will be at the wheel of Formula E machinery for the first time.

    Victory in the 2020 Italian F4 championship led him to the Formula Regional European Championship, clinching second in 2022.
    This then attracted the attention of the Alpine Academy, which signed him up ahead of his debut F3 campaign in 2023, where he picked up two wins, including the Monaco Feature Race.

    The Italian driver currently sits third in the F3 standings after two round, having scored points at every race, including a podium finish in Melbourne.

    It was my first time in the Nissan e-4ORCE 04 in Misano, so in Berlin I’m looking to use that experience to help me develop my driving. It’s a very different car to what I’m used to, so it takes a while to understand what to do and how to get the best out of it. My target is to learn as much as I can and help the team continue to improve. To have more track time will also be useful for my simulator work, to make the sim more accurate. I’m looking forward to being with the team again and will do my best!
    Collet on the news.

    I’m very pleased to test the Nissan e-4ORCE 04 for the first time in the Berlin Rookie Test next month. It will be a great chance to discover the car and to challenge myself in a different type of single-seater. I’m looking forward to giving my best and learning more about this category of racing. I would like to thank both Alpine and Nissan for their trust and for this exciting opportunity.
    Mini on the news.

    We’re looking forward to the Berlin Rookie Test with two very talented drivers in Caio and Gabriele. After participating in FP0 in Misano, it will be important for Caio to continue developing in the car, becoming more and more comfortable. As our reserve and sim driver, it’s vital for him to have as much experience as possible to support the team at his best. This will be a good opportunity to gain confidence and make a step forward with plenty of track time available. The test also presents us with a great chance to introduce Gabriele to the team. He’s a very promising driver, part of the Alpine Academy and it’s great to count on cross Alliance synergies to bring young drivers these opportunities. It’s very positive for us to work with young, up-and-coming drivers like Gabriele and Caio, so we can not only play a role in their professional development, but also build a rapport and set important basis for potential future collaborations.
    Tommaso Volpe, Managing Director and Team Principal of Nissan Formula E Team.

  • ERT announce F1 Academy Champion for Rookie Test

    Electric Racing Technologies have announced that reigning F1 Academy Champion, Marta Garcia will represent the team in the upcoming Berlin Rookie Test.

    Ahead of the highly-anticipated Monaco E-Prix this weekend, the Shanghai-Silverstone based squad have shared the exciting news that they labeled as a “significant milestone in motorsport”.

    Garcia is a hugely influential and talented driver, who gained worldwide attention when she won the very first season of F1 Academy last year.
    With the Managing Director of F1 Academy being former Venturi Formula E Team Principal, Susie Wolff.

    This season, Garcia will be racing with Iron Dames in the highly competitive Formula Regional European Championship (FRECA).

    The Berlin Rookie Test allows teams to give new talent a chance to try the latest Formula E machinery, as has been the birthplace for many of the biggest talents in the paddock today.

    I am thrilled to join ERT Formula E Team for the Berlin Rookie Test. Formula E represents the future of motorsport, and I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity to experience it firsthand. I’ve been following the championship closely, and I’m eager to get behind the wheel of the ERT X24 car and contribute to the team’s development. This test is a stepping stone in my career, and I’m determined to make the most of it.
    Garcia on the news.

    We are incredibly excited to welcome Marta García to the ERT Formula E family for the Berlin Rookie Test. Marta’s exceptional talent and achievements in F1 Academy are undeniable. This test serves as a fantastic platform to showcase her skills within the dynamic environment of Formula E. We are confident that Marta will quickly adapt to the unique demands of electric racing and provide valuable insights for the team.
    Alex Hui, Team Principal of ERT Formula E Team.

  • Tim Tramnitz will test for ABT CUPRA

    German racer, Tim Tramnitz will jump back into the ABT Cupra’s Gen3 car again this season, in Free Practice in Misano and at the Berlin Rookie Test after the Berlin double-header.

    Tramnitz has already tested for the team in 2023, and made a strong impression strong enough for an invite back to take part in the rookie tests.

    The 19 year old, first started karting back in 2011 and continued until 2019 getting lots of experience under his belt. In 2020 he moved to single seaters where he raced in the ADAC Formula 4 Championship.

    From there he went on to do ADAC F4 again but this time he paired it with Italian F4, he had strong campaigns in both, where he finished runner-up in both series’.
    The German driver went on to compete in the Formula Regional European Championship, and then moved to Formula 3 this year for his rookie season.

    Last year, Tramnitz got announced as a member of the Red Bull Junior Team. He is also part of Motorsport Team Germany and has been a member of the ADAC Sports Foundation team for seven years.

    I am really looking forward to the ABT team and the Formula E test. The first few hours last year were already a lot of fun – and it’s always cool to sit in a race car. I especially like working with the engineers when we look at and analyze all the data, because it’s much more comprehensive than it is for me in Formula 3. I can learn a lot and take a lot with me.

    Tramnitz on the news.

    Tim was not only consistently fast at his first test in 2023 and gave our engineers good feedback, but he is also simply a great guy. That was obviously a perfect start – especially because Formula 3 has many new challenges with tyre management, more aerodynamics on the car and DRS.

    Thomas Biermaier, Team Principal on Tramnitz and getting off to a dream start in F3 with a podium.