Ella Lloyd took another important step in her motorsport development by returning to Formula E testing action with the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team during the 2025 Berlin Rookie Test at Tempelhof Airport. The Welsh racing driver, who currently competes in both the F1 Academy and the F4 British Championship for Rodin Motorsport, is a rising talent within the McLaren Driver Development Programme. After impressing in her first outing at the 2024 Women’s Test in Jarama, Lloyd now continues to build experience in the all-electric series, aiming to adapt to the unique demands of Formula E machinery.
Progressing from Jarama to Berlin
Lloyd previously participated in the 2024 Formula E women’s test, where she finished seventh overall in Madrid. She reflected on that initial outing as a useful foundation heading into this weekend’s rookie test.
“Yeah, it is amazing to be back behind the wheel. Obviously, I did the test last year so it was like a little taster, so that is in my back pocket now obviously coming into this test. I think this morning was pretty positive. We did some test items for the team and hopefully now this afternoon we can push forward and see what we can do.”
With her earlier experience banked, Lloyd approached the Berlin test with greater confidence and technical understanding. The test also gave her a fresh opportunity to demonstrate her pace and feedback within McLaren’s wider development setup.
Adapting to Formula E’s demands
Formula E machinery differs significantly from the F4 cars used in F1 Academy. Lloyd addressed this challenge directly, noting the stark jump in power and feel when she first got behind the wheel of the Gen3 Evo car.
“I think it was definitely like the instant power. Coming from F1 Academy, it is obviously an F4 car so it is quite a big jump, definitely like in the 350s how much power it had. So it was a big jump but really loved it at the moment.”
The acceleration and torque delivery of Formula E’s latest generation offers a unique challenge, especially for drivers stepping up from junior formulae. Lloyd’s adaptability was evident, as she embraced that learning curve while delivering performance and feedback in real time.
Formula E on the horizon?
When asked about the possibility of transitioning into Formula E full-time in the future, Lloyd remained open-minded but realistic. She acknowledged the value of the opportunity, particularly with her connection to McLaren.
“I think Formula E is always an option. It is an amazing series. Obviously being involved with McLaren and their Formula E team is an amazing opportunity and it could be an opportunity one day but we will just see how it goes.”
While her focus remains on F1 Academy and F4 competition, her presence in Berlin and alignment with McLaren demonstrate her willingness to explore multiple single-seater pathways. Formula E’s increasing appeal among young drivers offers an attractive alternative to more traditional routes like Formula 1.
Learning from race weekend mentors
Lloyd also benefited from direct mentorship from McLaren’s regular Formula E drivers throughout the Berlin weekend. She highlighted the guidance received from both Taylor Barnard and veteran racer Sam Bird as particularly valuable.
“Taylor has done pretty well this year. We have been around all weekend just listening in on their race weekend and seeing how they are getting on and I have got Sam with me today helping and just giving some advice and some tips on what I can do. And it is great to have them around. It is great to be involved like with the engineers as well but it is always nice to have a driver’s perspective.”
Bird’s vast Formula E experience and Barnard’s recent jump from F2 to Formula E give Lloyd a well-rounded support system, helping her accelerate her understanding of both driving technique and team operations.
Ella Lloyd’s participation in the Berlin Rookie Test underscores her growing presence within top-tier motorsport. As a key figure in McLaren’s junior roster and a proven competitor in both F1 Academy and British F4, she continues to gain momentum. Her ability to adapt quickly to Formula E’s unique technology, her openness to new challenges, and her access to seasoned mentors all position her well for potential opportunities down the line.
