Formula E: Former F1 Driver Kvyat and F2 Champion Pourchaire to Star in Jeddah Rookie Test
The Formula E Jeddah Rookie Test will showcase a diverse mix of seasoned professionals and promising young talents looking to make an impact.
By Divyam Dubey
Daniil Kvyat, former Red Bull and Toro Rosso/AlphaTauri driver will take part in the DS Penske test session. Kvyat, who lost his Red Bull seat to Max Verstappen before the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, has since raced in Lamborghini's WEC Hypercar programme and, more recently, in IMSA’s GTP class (since 2024).
2023 Formula 2 champion Theo Pourchaire will drive for Maserati. Despite his F2 title, the 20-year-old Frenchman has struggled to secure a stable racing seat. He had a brief spell in Super Formula with Team Impul before moving to IndyCar with Arrow McLaren, though his stint ended prematurely. He now serves as Peugeot's reserve driver in the World Endurance Championship (WEC).
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The test will feature a blend of experienced drivers and emerging talents. Peugeot’s regular Mikkel Jensen will drive for Cupra Kiro, while Porsche will field 2023 DTM champion Thomas Preining, who has long-standing ties with the German marque. IMSA GTD racer Tatiana Calderon will represent Lola Yamaha Abt, while three-time W Series champion Jamie Chadwick will test for Jaguar, having worked with the team multiple times since 2020.
| Driver | Team |
| Thomas Preining | Porsche |
| Alex Dunne | McLaren |
| Jamie Chadwick | Jaguar |
| Gabriele Minì | Nissan |
| Kush Maini | Mahindra |
| Daniil Kvyat | DS PENSKE |
| Jak Crawford | Andretti |
| Théo Pourchaire | Maserati |
| Zak O’Sullivan | Envision |
| Mikkel Jensen | CUPRA KIRO |
| Tatiana Calderón | Lola Yamaha ABT |
Chadwick’s 2025 racing plans include an ELMS campaign with IDEC Sport in the LMP2 category. Calderon and Chadwick’s presence in the test underlines the growing impact of female drivers in elite motorsport. Their participation reflects the increasing diversity in racing, with teams keen to broaden opportunities for talented female drivers.
Five rising stars will also take part in the session. Mahindra reserve driver Kush Maini, preparing for his third F2 season with DAMS, will step into the Mahindra entry. His DAMS teammate, Jak Crawford, an Aston Martin junior, will test for Andretti. Former Williams junior and 2023 F3 runner-up Zak O’Sullivan, who is set to compete in Super Formula with Kondo Racing, will drive for Envision.
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Completing the line-up, Alpine Academy driver and 2024 F3 title contender Gabriele Mini will test for Nissan, part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance. McLaren junior driver Alex Dunne, the 2023 GB3 runner-up who finished 14th in F3 last season, will represent McLaren. The 19-year-old Dunne is set to graduate to Formula 2 with Rodin in 2025.
