As the days go by, the beginning of a new Formula E season is getting closer and closer, with the habitual Valencia preseason testing taking place on the 4th-7th of November. On the final day of testing, a special session will be hold for the first time, featuring a session reserved for female drivers.
The latest driver duo announced will be sporting the blues and the greens of Envision Racing, featuring their Testing and Development Driver Alice Powell and Formula E debutant Alisha Palmowski.
After a very proficient WSeries career, with three podium finishes in the drivers’ standings during her three seasons in the championship, Powell began working with the British team in 2021 and took part in the Berlin Rookie test day of the past season.
The British driver, excited at the chance to return behind the wheel of a new challenger, commented on the news:
“I am very happy to be back in a Formula E car for the second time in 2024, after participating in the Berlin rookie test earlier this year. I’m looking forward to getting more laps in and helping the team as much as I can going forward into Season 11 and the GEN3 Evo era of the series. I am very grateful to the team for another chance to drive the car and the trust they continue to put in me.”
She will partner up with rising talent Alisha Palmowski. The 18-years old began her competitive racing career in 2015, becoming the Ginetta Winter Series Vice Champion in 2022 and the GB4 Vice Champion in the 2024 season, scoring 11 podiums.
It’ll be a first electrical experience for the young Brit, which expressed her joy and thankfulness to Envision Racing for the opportunity:
“I cannot wait to join Envision Racing for the all-women’s Formula E test next month in Valencia. The car will be both faster and much different to anything I’ve previously driven so it is a great opportunity for me to learn and will be an amazing experience.”
“I cannot thank everyone at Envision Racing enough for the opportunity, and I am also looking forward to working alongside Alice who has some great experience with these cars that I can hopefully learn from.”
Managing Director Sylvain Filippi also took the time to discuss the news, highlighting the importance of the test in terms of promoting the importance of female representation in motorsport, as well as to comment on the drivers ‘choice:
“As a team we have never been shy of supporting talented women, and so we are very pleased to see the championship take this step forward in providing a platform for women racing drivers. We’re excited to see Alisha step into Formula E for the first time after a hugely successful season for her, and equally to see Alice back in the car, who is very experienced within our team and the sport.”
“Alisha caught our attention with her strong performances this past season and we are excited to see what she can do in a Formula E car – with Alice alongside her to provide experience and insight, we are sure it will be a rewarding session for all involved.”
