Formula E adds GB3 and Formula 2 stars to Rookie Test Lineup

As Formula E gears up for the final leg of the season, announcements for the upcoming Berlin Rookie Test in July have come flooding in.

The first of these announcements came last week with McLaren confirming their F1 Academy star Ella Lloyd for the test, continuing their work with her after fielding her for the Women’s Test in Madrid last year. 

McLaren continued things today by announcing current Formula 2 championship leader Alex Dunne in their second car, in what will be his second outing for the Papaya team following his participation in the Jeddah Rookie Practice earlier this year.

Dunne represented McLaren at the Jeddah Rookie Practice earlier in the year | Credit: Alastair Staley/LAT Images

Dunne also serves as the team’s reserve and development driver, a strong position to hold considering McLaren promoted a previous holder of the role, Jake Hughes, into a race seat only a few seasons ago. 

Keeping with the Papaya theme, ex-McLaren driver Bianca Bustamante will also be in Berlin. The F1 Academy race winner had her first taste of Formula E machinery during the Women’s Test when she lined up alongside Lloyd for McLaren. Now she switches orange for yellow and has joined Cupra Kiro.

Bustamante celebrates her new role with her signature smile | Credit: Cupra Kiro

The 20-year-old will also work for the team as a development driver and is set to make her first official appearance for the team at the upcoming Jakarta E-Prix.

Outside of her new role at Cupra Kiro, Bustamante competes in the competitive GB3 championship which is where another of the Berlin testers can be found: Abbi Pulling.

Nissan kicked off the Jakarta race week by announcing the appointment of F1 Academy champion Abbi Pulling as a simulator and development driver on a multi–year deal.

Pulling represented Nissan at the Women's Test in November 2024 | Credit: NISMO

The Brit stunned the teams when she topped the time sheets at the Women’s Test and has earned a strong role with one of Formula E’s top teams as a reward.

Nissan’s Team Principal, Tommaso Volpe, said: “We were very impressed with her speed, commitment, and professionalism during the all-women’s test in Madrid last November, and we’re very happy to extend and formalize our collaboration.”

This quartet joins the already confirmed Jamie Chadwick (Jaguar Racing) in the lineup for the annual rookie test, where they’ll receive at least six hours of running on the Monday following the Berlin E-Prix (14th July). More driver announcements are expected in the coming weeks.