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F1 ACADEMY drivers and alumni take to the track in Formula E’s Berlin Rookie Test
Current and former stars of F1 ACADEMY got to grips with all-electric machinery as Ella Lloyd, Abbi Pulling and Bianca Bustamante got behind the wheel for the ABB Formula E World Championship’s Rookie Test in Berlin.
Representing three of the four women featured in the 22-driver line-up, it was an invaluable opportunity for the trio to sample the GEN3 Evo car around the Berlin Tempelhof Airport Street Circuit, straight off the back of the Championship’s double-header.
Reigning F1 ACADEMY Champion Pulling had already impressed, after going fastest for the Nissan Formula E Team in the Women’s Test earlier in the season. Climbing back into the now Championship-winning car, the Briton persevered despite being unwell. Completing 98 laps, her best effort of a 58.457 put her P17 in the overall classification.
Relishing her new role as their Rookie and Simulator Driver, Pulling believes the learning opportunities the test has provided have given her plenty to build off going forward.
“It’s been really productive and we got through the programme that Nissan Formula E Team wanted us to get through,” she said. “This morning, more focusing on test items and testing our areas of regen runs. We did half a race run essentially, which was all productive. Although the race-esque driving can be quite tedious, it’s really good to learn because at the end of the day, that’s what you’ve got to be good at to be fast in Formula E. It was good practice.
“Then going through to the afternoon, we got more opportunity to push and put some decent laps in 300kW and 350kW. We got some good laps in either. One thing to work on from my side is putting my sectors together because the potential is there. In each sector, we’re not too far off, it’s just finding those last little bits everywhere and putting it together. Overall, really positive and managed to get through the test, even though I’m a little bit ill.
“I’m a little bit disappointed in myself as I wanted a bit more, but the team have done an amazing job. They’ve really helped me get better within myself and over lunch, make improvements with my driving. The technique is there now, it’s just some little bits. It’s part of the process, improving every time and I look forward to the next opportunity with Nissan Formula E Team in my new role.”
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Pulling continued: “Tests like these are super valuable and give us an opportunity to try something different. With Formula E, it is extremely out of the ordinary to the conventional single-seater pathway. Obviously in F3 or GB3, which I’m racing in now, there’s a lot more downforce, so some of the techniques change going from a car with less downforce.
"But then of course, this has exceptionally more power. It’s been fun to get my head around, there are so many systems you can change. It’s ever-changing and you can customise it massively for yourself, so it’s quite exciting.
“I think the potential of Formula E as a whole is massive with what you can do with the cars and the systems. It’s a huge opportunity because it’s a World Championship and we’re getting behind the wheel of, for me it’s the team that have won the World Drivers’ Championship, are competitive and looking to try to fight for the Teams’ and the Constructors' Championship as well. To get the opportunity is massive. It’s broadened my skillset for opportunities in the future and make it a possibility to make the step up one day.”
Alongside shadowing the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team throughout the race weekend, Lloyd was put through her paces in the #8 car. Balancing changes in setup and approaches needed across both the Race and Qualifying runs, she took the team’s feedback onboard, finishing only two tenths back from her compatriot Pulling in P18.
“I think the Rookie Test has gone pretty well,” said Lloyd afterwards. “I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to be here for the Berlin E-Prix race weekend as well and to learn as much as possible before jumping into the GEN3 Evo.
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“During the two sessions I did some test items for the team and provided some valuable feedback, so overall the day has been a positive experience and there’s been some good progress made.
“I think these opportunities are really valuable, especially getting to work with the engineers and the drivers, they’ve been driving and operating these cars all season so have lots of experience to learn from. I’m looking forward to taking the knowledge that I’ve learned today back into my F4 and F1 ACADEMY seasons.”
For Bustamante, it was time for her to experience the CUPRA KIRO machinery as the team’s newest Development Driver. Whilst she brought previous experience from the Women’s Test, the Filipina took advantage of the chance to test herself against the highly-experienced rookie grid.
Although her P22 result left her reflecting on the time she had left to find, Bustamante was full of praise for the opportunity to expand her racing horizons.
“It was a great platform for me to really push my limits and see how close or far away I am from the reference drivers,” she noted. “The main thing is that there was no lack of references. There were lots of very experienced drivers on the grid that I could learn from, and in which I did.
“Every session I was just pushing myself, trying to close the gap down every lap, got my head down, worked hard with the team and tried to improve as much as I can. In the end, I’m not really leaving without any regrets.
“I know I've probably left some time on the table with a new set of tyres, but I think something to look forward to in the next Rookie Test or the next time in the Formula E cars. I’m very, very happy and very thankful for this opportunity. It's another step in my career and I know it's only making me a better driver.”
Bustamante continued: “Opportunities like these are very helpful for developing women in the sport, especially putting women on an equal playing field along with competitive drivers and experienced drivers.
“The drivers have experience in F1, F2 and F3 and are setting real references for us. It was great and to drive alongside them was also a huge experience. Hopefully, this is only a step forward and many more opportunities like this for sure will foster the development for women’s sport.”