"This test is a stepping stone in my career, and I'm determined to make the most of it." - F1 Academy reigning champion and Iron Dame Marta García will contest the FIA Formula E Rookie Test at Berlin with Electric Racing Technologies.
F1 Academy reigning champion and current Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine racer Marta García is set to contest the Formula Rookie test at Berlin, representing Chinese squad Electric Racing Technologies (ERT).
García therefore takes her first steps in electric motorsport, after competing in single seaters since her step up from karting.
"I am thrilled to join ERT Formula E Team for the Berlin Rookie Test,” Marta said. “Formula E represents the future of motorsport, and I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity to experience it firsthand."
"I've been following the championship closely, and I'm eager to get behind the wheel of the ERT X24 car and contribute to the team's development. This test is a stepping stone in my career, and I'm determined to make the most of it."
García took the inaugural F1 Academy title in 2023 with a dominant season featuring 7 wins, 12 podiums, 6 pole positions and 7 fastest laps over the seven triple headers. This accomplishment resulted in F1 Academy announcing a progression path for its inaugural champion, who received a fully-funded opportunity to step up to Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine. Last week, the Valencian was announced as part of the Iron Dames driver roster, as the groundbreaking all-female squad extended its presence in single seaters with a two-car operation in FRECA - which will see García partnering Doriane Pin.
Marta has previously raced in Spanish F4 as well as in W Series, where she collected one victory and four podiums across three seasons.
These last developments in her career therefore represent a major step, as the Spaniard continues to climb the ladder of elite motorsport.
"We are incredibly excited to welcome Marta García to the ERT Formula E family for the Berlin Rookie Test," said Alex Hui, Team Principal of ERT Formula E Team. "Marta's exceptional talent and achievements in F1 Academy are undeniable. This test serves as a fantastic platform to showcase her skills within the dynamic environment of Formula E. We are confident that Marta will quickly adapt to the unique demands of electric racing and provide valuable insights for the team."
The test will be carried out at Berlin Tempelhof, on May 13th after the race meeting in the German capital. It is understood that García will spend time with the team at the upcoming Monaco ePrix, before she will head to Hockenheimring for the first round of the FRECA season and then to Berlin.
García will be the latest woman to test Formula E machinery in the official Rookie Test, after Gabriela Jílková drove for TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team last year at Valencia, becoming the first female driver to do so since 2020. Previous female drivers included Alice Powell, who drove for Envision Racing and was supposed to return in 2023, but was prevented from doing so by a rule that has now been changed. Now eligible for the Rookie Tests are drivers that have not taken part in a Formula E race weekend - as opposed to also drivers that have previously tested.
Jamie Chadwick, Pippa Mann, Tatiana Calderon, Amna Al Qubaisi, Carrie Schreiner, Carmen Jorda, Beitske Visser, Simona de Silvestro and Katherine Legge also entered the Formula E rookie tests - with De Silvestro being the last woman to have contested a Formula E race, in 2016.