Formula E aims to have female drivers competing at the championship level within the next two to three years, according to series chief executive Jeff Dodds. Speaking on Friday ahead of the season-ending races at London’s ExCel convention centre, Dodds highlighted that the sport is approaching a milestone, as this weekend marks 50 years since a woman last participated in a Formula One event.
Dodds emphasized that while he believes men and women can compete on equal terms in motorsport, the current environment does not provide equal conditions for both. To address this, the series is preparing to launch a major expansion of its existing women’s programme, which has previously focused on testing opportunities.
Since its inception in 2014, Formula E has featured three female competitors, including Switzerland’s Simona de Silvestro in 2016. This track record already surpasses the number of women who have competed in the 76-year history of the Formula One championship. For the past two years, the series has also hosted dedicated tests to provide female drivers with experience in current race cars.
The upcoming initiative represents a significant investment aimed at closing the performance gap. Dodds stated that the goal is to create more opportunities for women to get behind the wheel, with the ultimate ambition of seeing them race alongside the elite male drivers currently on the grid.
Success in this initiative relies on the cooperation of racing teams. Most teams already include a female driver in their development rosters and are now ready to increase their involvement. Dodds noted that teams have responded favorably to requests to take a larger step forward next season, describing the commitment as a shared priority.
The announcement comes as Formula E prepares for a transition period. This weekend’s events conclude the current era of the sport before the introduction of the faster, lighter Gen 4 car. Dodds characterized this shift as an inflection point for the series.
Looking ahead, the CEO expressed optimism regarding the future of the sport. He described the upcoming changes as a step-change in performance that will elevate the series to a new level both on and off the track, marking a pivotal moment for growth.
Dodds said that would not happen without the teams buying into the idea and creating opportunities.
“We’ll announce it shortly but it will be a big investment.”
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