OPINION: Formula E are the only series actively fighting for women in motorsport

Written by Teagan Crump, Edited by Vyas Ponnuri

Formula E’s latest pre-season test in Valencia witnessed the return of the all-female Formula E test and all ten teams featured in the test. With a day’s running this time, as opposed to just one session in 2024, it once again begs the question: Why are more motorsport series not fighting for the inclusion of women?

Credit: Formula E

While F1 Academy’s proposition and positioning as an all-female single-seater series may seem a good idea in theory, it appears to be shutting more doors than it is opening when it comes to execution on the ground.

Two major issues dogging the series are the spec of cars used in the series, as well as the choice of circuits often remains questionable for cars that are similar in specifications to those raced in Formula 4 championships. Additionally, the backing provided by the 10 Formula One teams also seems somewhat performative. 

For instance, at the end of the 2024 F1 Academy season, Bianca Bustamante had reached the maximum number of seasons permitted in F1 Academy, and she was dropped by McLaren after announcing her 2025 racing plans and departing the championship. The same can be said for Amna and Hamda Al Qubaisi, who no longer have support and backing from the Red Bull teams. 

While it is understandable that F1 teams cannot support every single driver who joins their academies throughout their careers, many people would assume minority groups (such as women) would receive more support, and more people in positions of power fighting for

them and their futures.

Credit: Formula 1

Formula E has shown a clear message, however, that they will fight for the inclusion of women and not settle for the bare minimum.

Take Bustamante as an example, again. She drove for Cupra Kiro in this year’s women’s test, but also serves as their Development Driver. This inclusion shows other women that they will be accepted by the Formula E community and that they should not settle for less. 

Another example of women being included in Formula E in a way that is not just surface-level is Alice Powell. Powell has been a member of Envision Racing’s team since 2020, and has participated in many rookie tests and both all-female Formula E tests.

The all-female Formula E test has been a major avenue for teams to bring female drivers into the fold and provide them with valuable simulator time and opportunities to grow their profile in the series. 

As many as four female drivers from the first all-female Formula E test line-up have now secured developmental roles with their teams, namely F1 Academy champions Abbi Pulling (Nissan) and Marta García (Lola Yamaha ABT), Jamie Chadwick (Jaguar) and Bianca Bustamante (Cupra Kiro).

This commitment made by Formula E teams shows their desire to nurture female talent for the long run and potentially pave the way for a female Formula E driver to join the grid full-time in the future. 

Formula E’s continued desire to foster an inclusive work culture also can be taken from an important decision off the racetrack too. This move was exemplified by their recent decision to exclude maternity and paternity pay from the individual cost caps of teams, ahead of Season 12.  

For many fans, this consistency towards supporting females highlights a shift and a change towards more inclusion. The FIA Girls On Track scheme has worked with Formula E since its inception in 2019, and will continue to partner the all-electric championship until 2027.

Other initiatives and programmes have shown that the series is targeting a wider demographic than just racing drivers. Moreover, the ages that are able to participate (8-18) show that Formula E is targeting many different people with different experiences.

Of course, Formula E is not without its faults, as some fans hold the opinion that each team should have to run two drivers in the Women’s Test, but many (including drivers) hold the opinion that because of Formula E’s activism, we will see a full-time female driver on the grid soon. When does this become a reality? Only time will be able to tell.