Nissan Formula E Team has confirmed that 2024 F1 Academy champion Abbi Pulling and 2024 FIA Formula 3 runner-up Gabriele Minì will take part in the upcoming FIA Formula E Rookie Test in Berlin. The test will take place on Monday 14 July at the Tempelhof Airport Street Circuit.
Pulling, currently competing in the GB3 Championship with Rodin Motorsport, joins the session in her role as Nissan’s rookie and simulator driver. Minì, a member of the Alpine Academy, races in FIA Formula 2 with Prema Racing and returns for his third outing with the team.
Pulling set for first outing with Nissan
Pulling will make her first on-track appearance with the team since taking on the role of rookie and simulator driver earlier this year. The reigning F1 Academy champion previously impressed by going fastest in the all-female test session at Jarama last November.
Now racing in GB3, the British driver began her season strongly with a fifth-place finish on debut at Silverstone.
“I am really excited to get out on track and to work with the team again,” said Pulling. “I have driven street circuits before but never in such a high-powered car, so it will be an amazing opportunity.”
She also spoke about the importance of working alongside her fellow rookie.
“Berlin looks like a fun track – Gabriele has been there with the team before, so it will be interesting to work with him and get up to speed from his previous experience,” she added.
“I will be there for the race weekend prior to the test as well, so my goal is mainly to pick up as much information as possible, improve my understanding of the car, and make the most of the experience for both the team and myself.”
Minì returns for third Formula E Test
Gabriele Minì will return to Nissan for a third time, continuing his involvement through the team’s technical partnership with Alpine Racing. The Italian previously took part in the 2024 Berlin rookie test and finished second in the FP0 session in Jeddah earlier this season while testing the GEN3 Evo package.
Currently in his rookie FIA Formula 2 campaign with Prema Racing, Minì recently secured a podium in the Monaco Sprint Race.
“It is great to be back,” said Minì. “I have enjoyed my two previous outings with the team, so I am delighted to work with them again. It is a track I know well, having driven there in the Rookie Test last year.”
He also reflected on his experience with the latest generation of Formula E machinery.
“I also had the chance to drive the GEN3 Evo in the FP0 session in Jeddah, with the 350kW power mode, new tyres, and all-wheel drive, so I will be aiming to put these two experiences together,” he explained.
“My main goal is to keep learning and to help the team complete its programme for the day, like we did in Jeddah, while also showing my pace.”
Testing schedule and track details
The Berlin Rookie Test will run across two sessions. The morning session will take place from 09:00 to 12:00 local time (UTC+2), with the afternoon session following from 13:00 to 16:00.
Drivers will tackle the 2.343-kilometre Tempelhof layout, which features 15 corners and runs in an anti-clockwise direction. The circuit’s abrasive concrete surface is expected to test tyre management throughout the day.
Team leadership welcomes returning duo
Nissan Formula E Team managing director and team principal Tommaso Volpe welcomed both drivers and underlined the value of continuity within the programme.
“We are very happy to have Abbi and Gabriele with us for the Berlin rookie test this year,” said Volpe. “It will be Abbi’s first on-track action since joining us as our rookie and simulator driver, and we are happy to welcome Gabriele again thanks to our close collaboration with Alpine Racing.”
Volpe also praised their individual development and previous work with the team.
“We have worked with them separately in the past with a lot of success, so it will be great to see them teaming up for this test. They are both very talented drivers and for us it is great to have continuity with our rookies, so they can keep developing at the same time as doing a better job for the team every time.”
