Alice Powell returns behind the wheel of Envision Racing Formula E car for rookie test

W Series race winner Alice Powell is set to make her return behind the wheel of the Envision Racing Formula E car at the upcoming rookie test in Berlin, making her GEN3 car debut.

Photo credits: Carl Bingham

British ace Alice Powell will return behind the wheel of a Formula E machine - although for the first time in the GEN3 specifications - at the upcoming Rookie Test in Berlin on May 13th.

The five-time W Series race winner will in fact join Dries Vanthoor at Envision Racing for the test that will follow the Berlin E-Prix weekend.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to take part in the rookie test day in Berlin,” Powell said.

“I’ve been working with the team for a long time and have completed a lot of simulator work over the past few seasons, so to get the chance to have a full day in the GEN3 on track is going to be really useful for me, and hopefully also for the team.”

Powell joined Envision Racing Formula E team as Simulator and Development Driver in 2021, and has carried out extensive work to support the team in the past couple of years.

The 31 year old was previously parte of the Rookie Test line up in 2020 at Marrakech, and drove the Gen-2 car again in Valencia at the end of 2021.

While last year a rule prevented returning drivers from running the Rookie Test, a change in the regulation will now allow Powell - as well as drivers that have not previously taken the start of an E-Prix - to drive at Tempelhof.

“We are happy to have two very talented drivers step into our cars for the rookie test day. Dries and Alice have both achieved a lot in their careers, and we’re looking forward to seeing them out on track in Berlin", commented Sylvain Filippi, Managing Director and CTO of Envision Racing.

Powell made history when she became the first woman to win a Formula Renault Championship in 2010 and had her international breakthrough in 2012 in GP3 Series – now rebranded FIA Formula 3 - where she also was the first woman to score points, finishing eighth in Monza. After a long hiatus due to budget difficulties, Powell has seen her career revamped and brought back into the limelight with the launch of W Series, where she took 5 wins, 13 podiums, 3 pole positions and 5 fastest laps over the three on-track seasons.

Alice is also working with the Alpine F1 Team in the crucial role of Talent Identification & Development Mentor for the Alpine Academy and Affiliate programme.

While she has previously completed shakedowns of the GEN3 Formula E car, the Berlin Rookie Test will be her first full day of running.

She is the second female driver to be confirmed for the test, after inaugural F1 Academy champion Marta García was announced for Electric Racing Technologies (ERT).