Formula E rookie test contains these famous motorsport names
Formula E
General
The Formula E season resumes on an unusual Friday with the first of two races in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Before the regular drivers hit the track for practice, qualifying, and the race, it's the rookies' turn. Each team will field one rookie, giving 11 young talents a chance to experience the electric racing series. Among them are some notable names.
Most notable is the participation of Daniil Kvyat, the former Formula 1 driver who has been out of action in single-seaters for a long time. Kvyat previously competed for Toro Rosso and Red Bull Racing. He was replaced by Max Verstappen shortly after the season started in 2016. Kvyat is also the father of Penelope, Kelly Piquet's daughter. Kvyat will drive in the session for DS Penske.
Pourchaire gets a chance
Theo Pourchaire also gets a chance. Until recently, the Frenchman was considered a top talent and destined for Formula 1. However, his - now former - team Sauber decided not to give the former F2 champion a chance, after which his career slowly declined. For now, Pourchaire is Peogeot's reserve in the World Endurance Championship in 2025.
Formula E teams aren’t just giving opportunities to male drivers—two female racers will also take part. Jamie Chadwick, who will compete in European Le Mans next season, is also linked to Williams in Formula 1 and Jaguar in Formula E. Meanwhile, former F2 driver Tatiana Calderón is set to test for the newly established Lola team.
Gabriele Mini might be eyeing a future in Formula E, as his path to Formula 1 with Alpine remains blocked for now. In 2025, the Italian will compete in Formula 2 with PREMA, where he’ll once again be with Irish driver Alexander Dunne—his fellow rookie in Jeddah. Dunne, part of McLaren’s Junior Team, will get his first taste of Formula E as well.
The full list of rookies in the Formula E test
This article was written in collaboration with Ludo van Denderen