Formula E is preparing to launch a major expansion of its women’s programme, with the goal of having female drivers competing at the championship level within the next two to three years. Chief Executive Jeff Dodds shared the vision on Friday, speaking ahead of the season-ending races at London’s ExCel convention centre.
Dodds emphasized that while he believes men and women possess the capability to compete equally in motorsport, the current conditions for entry remain unequal. Since its inception in 2014, Formula E has hosted three female competitors, including the most recent, Switzerland’s Simona de Silvestro in 2016. This figure represents one more female participant than the Formula One championship has seen over its 76-year history.
The series has previously focused on a “women’s test” initiative to provide female drivers with experience in current race cars. According to Dodds, the upcoming expansion will move beyond testing to create broader opportunities for women to secure seats and bridge the performance gap. He described the initiative as a significant investment that aims to see women racing alongside elite male drivers on the grid.
Securing support from racing teams is central to this strategy. Most teams already incorporate female drivers into their development pipelines and have shown a willingness to increase their involvement. Dodds noted that teams are responding favorably to the request for deeper commitment, expressing a genuine desire to participate in the initiative.
The announcement coincides with a transitional period for the series as it prepares for the introduction of the Gen 4 car. This new vehicle is expected to be lighter and faster, marking a significant step-change in performance capabilities for the sport.
Dodds characterized the current phase as an inflection point for the organization. He believes the combination of the expanded women’s programme and the technological leap provided by the Gen 4 car will propel the series to a new level of growth both on and off the track.
The timing of these discussions is particularly notable as the racing world marks 50 years since a woman last competed in a Formula One event. Formula E intends to leverage this momentum to foster a more inclusive environment for professional racing talent.
Speaking to reporters ahead of a weekend that will mark 50 years since a woman last raced in Formula One, Dodds said his series would soon announce a major expansion of its women’s programme.
“We’ll announce it shortly but it will be a big investment.”
