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Bianca Bustamante and Ella Lloyd made history last week as they drove for the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team in Formula E’s groundbreaking Women’s Test, a world first for a major international championship.  

The McLaren Development Drivers were two of 17 drivers to take part. Between them, they shared three hours in the new GEN3 Evo car, which will make its hotly anticipated debut at FE’s Season 11 opener in Brazil on 7 December.  

Both drivers impressed the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team with how quickly they adapted to the new machinery in their first taste of the all-electric series. In addition to the significant personal benefits of taking part, the duo were able to get up to speed swiftly enough to assist the team with their learning of the new car.   

“It was incredible, probably the fastest car I have ever driven in my life,” said Bianca, who finished third overall in the Women’s Test. “The team made every single moment special, learning and growing with them.  

“I am coming away from this as a more professional driver, which was always the objective, so I am happy that it was a successful test. We finished in P3 overall, showing that the pace was there, and the potential was good. Everyone kept working, and we pushed forward.” 

A member of the McLaren Driver Development programme, Bianca has competed for McLaren in F1 Academy this year, driving for ART Grand Prix. She sits seventh in the standings with two rounds to go, having notched one podium.  

Discussing the jump from junior machinery to the Formula E car, she continued: “It was quick. From 0-100, the car is unimaginably quick, but I was able to manage it and push the car close to its limit, which is great. 

“We worked a lot on different driving techniques because Formula E requires a different driving approach and brake shapes than F1 Academy and F4, so there was some adapting to do. There is a lot more top speed, especially in corners, and I had to build up my confidence when pushing.” 

Having only made her F1 Academy debut in Singapore this year, Ella was the least experienced driver of the 17. However, she still managed to set the seventh quickest time of the all-women test, further outlining her credentials ahead of assuming a permanent seat on the F1 Academy grid in 2025.  

“It was pretty special,” Ella said. “I had completed a few days on the sim, so I knew what was coming, but to actually drive the car was an amazing feeling. It was even more special to drive an electric car. But I wouldn’t say that it was hugely difficult, apart from maybe in the high-speed corners.” 

Ella was F1 Academy’s Wild Card entry in Singapore in September and finished both races in the points, before being announced as the newest member of the McLaren Driver Development programme in October. The 19-year-old will represent McLaren in F1 Academy next season, driving for Rodin Motorsport.  

Speaking about the experience, she continued: “I worked a lot on brake shape, which was different to what I have been used to. It was about getting that belief going into the corners. The car is a lot faster, much quieter and has a lot less traction and overall grip in the corners.” 

Bianca and Ella had spent significant time preparing for the test on our Formula E simulator, but had focused on driving Valencia’s Circuit Ricardo Tormo, where the test had originally been slated for. The move to Madrid's Circuito de Madrid Jarama presented another tricky hurdle for the two drivers to clear, yet both navigated it impressively.  

“Overall, I think the team was happy in the end,” Bianca said. “We were working on a bit of everything, from driving techniques to procedures, and I was working closely with my Performance and Race Engineers, who were very insightful. I learned a lot of things that I'll carry forward in my career. 

“The test has been such an amazing opportunity for all the women. It is a step forward in our careers that we can learn from. Hopefully, we can have more tests like this to help us develop and make a pathway for women in Formula E.” 

Ella added: “I think everyone was happy with my performance, especially considering I have only done three years of driving and no karting. The team were really pleased with the results and with what we got out of it.  

“This test has been a massive learning curve for me, as I had never driven the car before, and anything that I am able to drive is going to help me for the future.”