Silverstone winner, rising female talent signed for Berlin rookie test

Vyas Ponnuri
Jul 7
3 min read

Written by Vyas Ponnuri

A Formula 3 champion will be testing alongside a renowned female racer, in what is set to be a barnstorming line-up down at Jaguar, rounding out the roster for the upcoming Berlin Formula E rookie test on Monday, 14 July, 2025.

Jaguar became the final team to announce their duo taking to the Berlin Tempelhof circuit for the upcoming Berlin rookie test, set to go ahead on 14 July, 2025, a day after the Berlin E-Prix double-header concludes. Drivers will take to the former World War II airport for one day of testing.

The rookie testing line-up features a healthy dynamic between drivers piloting a Formula E Gen3 Evo car for the first time, and those who have already tested the Gen3 Evo earlier.

The similar script continues down at Jaguar, who have signed a line-up on similar lines. Reigning Formula 3 champion Leonardo Fornaroli joins forces with test driver Jamie Chadwick, who is set for her third outing in a Gen3 Evo Formula E car.

Fornaroli comes fresh off a defining sprint race victory in Silverstone, when he held off a late charge from PREMA Racing's Sebastián Montoya to win the 21-lap sprint on the Saturday. It's only surprising when you read it in the context of his junior racing career, that this sprint win marked only his second ever race victory in single-seaters.

The Invicta racer last took victory during his Italian F4 campaign back in 2021, when he finished fifth for Iron Lynx Racing. Ever since, Fornaroli took the honour of rookie champion in FRECA, finishing eighth overall and best of the rookies in 2022, before a second season of F3 in 2024 saw him become the first F3 champion without a single race victory.

Fornaroli stepped into the Invicta seat vacated by 2024 Formula 2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto, following in his footsteps after triumphing in F3 for Trident. While he has been close to race victory on multiple weekends in 2024, the elusive win finally arrived in the Silverstone sprint.

An ever-consistent racer, the Italian will certainly lend his expertise and skill set to the Jaguar fold in 2025.

“It is a privilege to mark my first official test in Formula E with Jaguar TCS Racing," Fornaroli said, on the eve of the announcement.

"It is going to be a new challenge for me, but one I am looking forward to. To work with the current world championship-winning team is a great opportunity for me and it will be really exciting to take to the Tempelhof Airport circuit for the first time.”

Chadwick jumps into her third Formula E test in less than a year | Credit: Simon Galloway/LAT Images

He joins Jamie Chadwick, who serves as the team's test driver in 2025. Chadwick has already driven for the team during the all-women Formula E test in November, before filling in once again at the Rookie Free Practice session in Jeddah earlier this February.

The Briton has already garnered a wealth of experience from her W Series and Indy NXT exploits, before setting foot into the European Le Mans Series in 2025. Chadwick drives the No. 18 IDEC Sport in the series alongside Matthys Jaubert and Daniel Juncadella. The trio lead the LMP2 championship after two rounds of racing.

“I’m looking forward to teaming up with Jaguar TCS Racing once again for the rookie test in Berlin," Chadwick said.

"I am hugely grateful for the opportunities I’ve already had to drive the Jaguar I-TYPE 7 this season, and I’m eager to get back out on track with the team again.”

Jaguar team principal James Barclay spoke praise for Chadwick, whilst welcoming Fornaroli into the camp of the Big Cat.

"We’re delighted to welcome back Jamie (Chadwick) to the team and give her another chance to put the Jaguar I-TYPE 7 through its paces. Jamie has enjoyed plenty of success in sportscars this year and has excelled across multiple motorsport disciplines, so it will be great to see her drive in Formula E again.

“We are also delighted to welcome Leonardo (Fornaroli) into the team in Berlin. Leonardo is enjoying an impressive debut season in Formula 2 off the back of winning the Formula 3 title last year – a superb achievement against a really strong field of drivers.

"We look forward to seeing what Leonardo can do behind the wheel of the Jaguar I-TYPE 7 as he showcases his skillset in Formula E for the first time.”