DTM racer Ayhancan Güven and F4 rookie Elia Weiss set to make their mark in Berlin’s Formula E rookie test, for TAG Heuer Porsche.
Formula E fans will witness a fascinating contrast when Porsche fields two drivers representing different generations and career stages at the Rookie Test in Berlin on July 14. Turkish DTM driver Ayhancan Güven, 27, will share the spotlight with Germany’s Elia Weiss, who celebrated his 16th birthday mere weeks before this opportunity.
Güven’s electric debut
For Ayhancan Güven, the Berlin test represents uncharted territory. Despite his impressive credentials as a former Porsche Junior and current DTM frontrunner with Manthey EMA, this will mark his first outing in a Formula E car. The Istanbul-born driver has already etched his name into motorsport history this season, securing his maiden DTM victories at Oschersleben in April and Zandvoort in June, both behind the wheel of the formidable Porsche 911 GT3 R.
Güven’s journey from karting through sim racing—where he competed alongside Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen—has established him as a sporting icon in Turkey. His success has resonated far beyond the racing community, with even the Turkish Ministry of Sport acknowledging his breakthrough DTM triumph. Now, this accomplished GT racer faces the unique challenge of adapting to open-wheel, electric-powered competition.
“This is a pretty unique opportunity for me,” Güven reflects. “As a driver with a GT racing background, driving a single-seater without a roof over my head is an experience I’m really looking forward to. The Porsche 99X Electric has a lot of systems I’m not familiar with, which will probably be the biggest challenge.”
The next generation of racers
Standing in stark contrast to Güven’s seasoned approach is Elia Luis Weiss, whose timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Born on 22 June 2009, the Munich teenager received his international B licence, which is the minimum requirement for Formula E participation. This timing makes him the youngest ever Formula E rookie, eligible to drive the series’ fastest-accelerating single-seater (0-100 km/h in under two seconds) by a matter of weeks.
Weiss represents the next generation of German motorsport talent through the prestigious Motorsport Team Germany programme, following in the footsteps of current Formula E World Champion Pascal Wehrlein. His credentials, despite his youth, are impressive: the 2024 German karting championship DKM winner is currently making his Formula 4 debut with Cram Motorsport in Italy whilst simultaneously preparing for this electric opportunity.
The teenager’s maturity has already impressed Porsche’s motorsport hierarchy. “Elia turned 16 just a few days ago, but he comes across as a much more mature racing driver,” notes Florian Modlinger, who was particularly struck by Weiss’s interaction with engineers during simulator sessions.
The Formula E challenge
The mandatory Rookie Test addresses a unique challenge within Formula E’s restrictive environment. With strict budget caps and limited testing opportunities, teams traditionally hesitate to invest resources in unproven drivers. However, the sport’s complex energy management systems create mental challenges that reduce the pool of viable candidates, making fresh talent evaluation essential.
“The energy management is complex, which means that the mental challenges in particular are incredibly tough in Formula E,” Modlinger explains. “This reduces the pool of potential drivers. So, it makes sense for the Rookie Test to be mandatory for all teams.”
Both Porsche drivers have been preparing intensively at the Weissach simulator facility. For Güven, his sim racing background provides an advantage. “As a sim racer, however, it’s easy for me to transfer my impressions of the virtual track to the real thing as quickly as possible,” he said. Meanwhile, Weiss has focused on physical preparation, explaining, “In a Formula E car, you need a lot of strength and fitness, so I’m training particularly hard in those areas at the moment.”
A demanding schedule
The test comes at a particularly intense period for Güven, who faces a gruelling schedule combining his DTM commitments with legendary endurance events. Before Berlin, he’ll tackle the 24-hour races at both the Nürburgring and Spa, plus a DTM round at the Norisring. “It’s all happening in quick succession, and I’m giving it my all,” he acknowledges.
For Weiss, the pressure is different but no less significant. “I’m incredibly proud—no doubt everyone dreams of being able to drive for Porsche! The fact that I get to do this is insane. It’s a huge step for me, which is why I have a lot of respect for it.”
The Formula E Rookie Test will take place on the same Tempelhofer Feld circuit that hosts the Berlin E-Prix weekend (12-13 July), extending Porsche’s presence in the German capital by one day before the temporary track is dismantled. With 22 rookie drivers across all teams participating, the session represents Formula E’s commitment to nurturing new talent whilst maintaining the sport’s competitive integrity.
