Pulling and Floersch to test for Nissan Formula E team
The Nissan Formula E team has confirmed that Alpine Academy drivers Sophia Floersch and Abbi Pulling will take the wheel of the new Gen3 Evo car during the sport’s upcoming all-women test.
Nissan is a partner of Renault which oversees the Alpine motorsport project, so it makes sense that the Academy’s two brightest stars will get their chance to test the latest Formula E machinery.
23-year-old Floersch is the more experienced of the two women, she has most recently competed in Formula 3, where she has raced for the past three seasons. She also has experience in endurance racing in the European Le Mans Series as well as three entries into the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Floersch said: "I'm very excited to have the chance to drive the most modern Formula E car. It's going to be very different to my previous motorsport experiences, but I'm always curious to try new things.
“I'm highly motivated to get the most out of the test and do my all to help the team as they prepare for Season 11. I'll be spending time in the simulator to be as ready as possible for Valencia and allow me to extract all I can. Looking forward to getting out there and taking on this incredible opportunity.”
Pulling meanwhile is one of the most exciting young female talents in motorsport in 2024. Her performance in F1 Academy this season has brought her close to the title with seven wins from the first ten races. She also became the first woman to win in British F4 over the summer.
"I've been wanting to drive a Formula E car for a long time, so to be given the chance to test the Nissan e-4ORCE 05 is a dream,” Pulling said. “I'm very excited to take on the challenge of learning the car with the guidance of the Nissan crew. There is a lot to learn and much more to manage so we will take it step by step.
“It's a completely different environment to what I'm used to, but the focus is on doing what the team ask of me and to enjoy a productive test together."
The pair have already begun working with the team in preparation for the test in Valencia next month. Both drivers will spend time in the simulator ahead of making their Formula E debuts.
Nissan joined Formula E in 2018 when it took over the running of the e-DAMS team from Renault. Since then, it has confirmed its long-term commitment to the series until the end of the Gen4 regulations that will run until 2030.
Tommaso Volpe, Managing Director and Team Principal of the Nissan Formula E team, said: "This is a great initiative to give women the opportunity to test Formula E machinery, and we're delighted to be taking part with two cars.
“The number of women racing drivers has been increasing in recent years, and we're proud to be contributing to the acceleration of this process. It's a fantastic chance for Sophia and Abbi to learn and to help the team iron out any difficulties we encounter during the week.”
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