Ahead of the upcoming Saudi Arabian double header a FE Rookie Practise session will take place on next Thursday. Many debutant drivers, as well as returning faces, will be taking up the chance to prove their worth and test out the new Gen3Evo cars.
Kush Maini
First driver announced for the test was Mahindra’s Kush Maini. The Indian driver serves as their official Reserve Driver and paired his duties with a strong second season of Formula 2 with Campos during the past year.
“I’m excited to be back with Mahindra Racing for the FE Rookie Practice in Jeddah next month. I was very impressed with my first experience of Formula E in Berlin last season. The new GEN3 Evo car is clearly another step up from that.
Mahindra has definitely been on a roll during Season 11 so far, in the points on both rounds and with both drivers in Sao Paulo. The Alpine Academy driver can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of an electrical challenger: “I’ve been watching closely across the first two races this season and can’t wait to get behind the wheel for myself.”
Zak O’Sullivan
He will reunite with former Formula 2 grid mate Zak O’Sullivan, who has taken up the role of Simulator Driver for Envision Racing. The young Brit, who can boast a GB3 title and P2 in the 2023 Formula 3 championship in his curriculum so far, will drive an electric challenger for the first time in Jeddah.
Unfortunately, O’Sullivan was unable to complete his rookie Formula 2 season in the past season due to funding issues, but he is now competing in Super Formula with Kondo Racing Team.
“The session itself will provide a good opportunity for me to learn the car and I will also be making sure I spend as much time with the team as possible across the race week, so I absorb as much as I can.” Said the former ART driver.
Mikkel Jensen
Endurance driver Mikkel Jensen will be taking part in the session for recently rebranded Cupra Kiro. The Peugeot driver, who is sharing his Hypercar no. 93 with two times Formula E champion Jean Eric Vergne, will make his return to open wheels racing for the first time since 2016, when he competed in European Formula 3.
“Formula E has interested me for a while now, and from my time preparing in the simulator, the car feels completely different to anything I’ve experienced before in my career. I would like to thank CUPRA KIRO for giving me this opportunity. I can’t wait to get started.” Said Jensen, excited to debut.
Alex Dunne
Recently appointed Reserve and Development Driver for Neom McLaren Alex Dunne will have his first official outing for the papaya team. The talented Irish driver has progressed swiftly through the championships following the beginning of his single seater career scoring a podium on his debut round in the Spanish F4 Championship.
Winner of the 2022 British F4 Championship and runner up in his 2022 Italian F4 campaign, runner up in the 2023 GB3 Championship and with two podiums in his first ever Formula 3 season with MP Motorsport, Dunne has proved his worth at ever racing level,and is now approaching a new challenge.
“I’m looking forward to getting my first chance to drive the GEN3 Evo for the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team next week in Jeddah. To have this opportunity through the McLaren Driver Development programme feels incredible, and I’m so grateful to the team for putting their trust in me.”
“I’ve been working hard in the simulator and with the team to prepare for this test, and I can’t wait to get out to Jeddah.” He concluded.
Daniil Kvyat
Finally, a former Formula 1 driver will also return to FE Rookie Testing. It’ll be Red Bull’s Daniil Kvyat for DS Penske. While in 2024 he had took part in the Berlin round for NIO, this time around the Russian will be joining the gold looking team.
Kvyat, who’s competing with an Italian license, joined Lamborghini in 2024 and has competed so far in Endurance in the Hypercar class and in IMSA.
“It is my first time driving a Formula E new-generation GEN3 Evo car, and I am eager to get a feel for it on track. I already know some of the faces in the team, which makes this experience even more exciting! I cannot wait to get started and see where this test will take us.’”
Many drivers are yet to be announced, but this FP0 in Jeddah is shaping up to be a pretty interesting session with plenty of talented drivers from different backgrounds. Stay tuned for more announcements!
