Rookie Testing Back for Berlin E-Prix

Rookie testing for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will return after a two-year break, taking place shortly after the upcoming double-header E-Prix in Berlin. Formula E had not previously led official tests during the season since 2020, which took place in Marrakesh.

 

On Monday 24 April David Beckmann and Yifei Ye will be given the opportunity to test the Porsche 99X Electric race cars at the Berlin Tempelhof Street Circuit, with testing taking place in two separate sessions from 9am until 12pm and 2-5pm CEST.

 

Florian Modlinger, Director Factory Motorsport Formula E commented: “The rookie test is a great opportunity to show young drivers what Formula E is all about. It’s also about familiarising them with our Porsche 99X Electric, which is a very complex racing car and not easy to drive. For rookies coming into Formula E, the test offers them a good chance to experience what they’ll come up against in this racing series. As a team, we want to use this event to introduce young drivers to Formula E and see how they perform in a Formula E car. David has already tested for us. Now we're looking forward to seeing how well Yifei gets on with our Porsche 99X Electric.”

 

To ensure this unique testing session is solely for drivers officially regarded at a rookie level, only those who have not yet driven in a previous Formula E race and have not participated in two or more test drives may take part in the event.

Ye, who signed with Porsche in October 2021, will contest this year’s World Endurance Championship (WEC) with a customer team's Porsche 963 hybrid prototype as the Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific selected driver. The 22-year-old’s racing history already boasts a series of remarkable victories, including the 2020 Euroformula Open, the 2021 Asian Le Mans Series, and the 2021 European Le Mans Series. Now, Ye will sit in the cockpit of the Porsche 99X Electric for the first time.

David Beckmann is perhaps slightly better acquainted with the Porsche 99X Electric, having driven it during pre-season tests on the Circuit de Calafat. Victorious in the 2012 DMV Kart Championship (KF3 class) and the European Bridgestone Cup, Beckmann then clinched the German Junior Kart championship just one year later, marking the start of an already-impressive track record. He then went on to compete in the FIA Formula 4, Formula 3 and Formula 2 championships, gaining invaluable racing experience and turning heads with a series of noteworthy results.

 

With strict test regulations and narrow training windows previously making it difficult for teams to introduce young drivers to the world of Formula E, rookie testing’s comeback in Berlin will be warmly welcomed by all.