All the drivers taking part in Formula E's Miami Rookie Free Practice

Feature by Katy Fairman

What: Formula E Rookie Free Practice
Location: Miami International Autodrome
When: Friday 30 January 2026 | 14:30 local - 19:30 UTC
Duration: 40 Minutes
The Goal: Giving talent from other motorsport disciplines a taste of Formula E machinery. Many previous participants have used this session to secure permanent seats on the grid.

Ahead of the highly-anticipated Miami E-Prix, Formula E will host a 40-minute Rookie Free Practice on Friday 30 January. Following the success of previous sessions in Rome, Misano and Jeddah, the event returns and allows ‘rookie’ drivers a chance to get behind the wheel of the current generation of Formula E cars, the GEN3 Evo. 

CALENDAR: Here's every race set for the 2025/26 Formula E season

The session is a fantastic opportunity for talent to show their skills at a World Championship level, as well as impressing the 10 teams and manufacturers across the paddock. There’s a great record of rookies becoming full-time drivers from sessions like these, providing a vital stepping stone for emerging talent. 

This initiative follows the second Women's Test Formula E held over Valencia Pre-Season Testing in October, and further emphasises Formula E and the FIA's dedication to creating diverse and inclusive pathways for the next generation of racing drivers.

Meet the Rookies

Ayhancan Güven

Porsche announced their Factory Driver Ayhancan Güven for the Rookie Free Practice session, with the Turkish driver previously stepping into a GEN3 Evo for the Berlin Rookie Test last summer. The reigning 2025 DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) champion looked quick and comfortable behind the wheel of Formula E machinery, and if he continues to impress could be a strong contender for one of the seats of Porsche’s additional Formula E entry from 2026/27. 

Alessandro Giusti

Jaguar TCS Racing will be using Alessandro Giusti for their Rookie Free Practice session in Miami. The 19-year-old already has Formula E experience when he repped Lola Yamaha ABT at the Berlin Rookie Test last season, but will now be closely working with the Jaguar team. The 2022 French F4 Champion will be competing in the FIA Formula 3 Championship with MP Motorsport this year, as well as being part of the Williams Racing Driver Academy.

Abbi Pulling

Nissan have called upon their official Rookie and Simulator driver Abbi Pulling for the Rookie Free Practice. The 2024 F1 Academy Champion has plenty of experience with Formula E machinery, and will be looking to continue her development with the Japanese Manufacturer. Pulling recently announced that alongside her duties with Nissan, she would continue in the GB3 Championship with Rodin Motorsport.

Gabriele Mini

Nissan will be fielding two rookies across the session, as they have also called upon Gabriele Mini. The Italian has plenty of experience at the wheel of a Formula E car, and topped both the morning and afternoon sessions for Nissan over last season's Berlin Rookie Test. Having impressed during his maiden FIA Formula 2 season last year, picking up three podiums, Mini will be back racing in the support series category with MP Motorsport in 2026.

Chloe Chambers

Mahindra Racing have snapped up Chloe Chambers for this opportunity, with the American quickest overall at Formula E’s Women’s Test in October. Chambers has an impressive racing resume, and finished third overall in the 2025 championship standings for F1 Academy. 

Nikita Bedrin

DS PENSKE will be using Nikita Bedrin for the Miami Rookie Free Practice, with the 20-year-old Russian continuing to build on his Formula E experience after an outing at the Berlin Rookie Test last season. Bedrin has won in almost every category he’s ever raced in, from karting all the way to single-seaters. 

Dennis Hauger

Andretti didn't have to look far for their Rookie, opting to use 2025 Indy NXT Champion Dennis Hauger. The Norwegian won the title with Andretti, winning six races, earning seven pole positions and securing 12 podiums out of 14 races. This year he will make the step up to a full-time IndyCar seat. 

Zak O’Sullivan 

Envision Racing are once again using Zak O’Sullivan for a Rookie outing, with the British driver previously taking part in Jeddah's Rookie Free Practice and Berlin Rookie Test. The 2021 GB3 Champion, who also won the Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award that same year, is now racing in Super Formula. 

Théo Pourchaire

Citroën Racing have called upon talented French racing driver Théo Pourchaire for the Rookie Free Practice in Miami. The 2023 FIA Formula 2 champion has previously tested Formula E machinery when the team was Maserati MSG Racing, and is a factory driver for Team Peugeot TotalEnergies in the FIA World Endurance Championship across 2026. 

Pepe Martí

CUPRA KIRO will be using a very familiar face for the test, with their full-time driver Pepe Martí getting an additional Free Practice session in Miami. After a change in regulations for the 2025/26 season, Martí is defined as a rookie until the end of this season and therefore qualifies for this extra session. Having secured his first Formula E points in Mexico City, having started from the back of the grid, Martí will be one to watch over the Miami E-Prix weekend. 

Hugh Barter 

Lola Yamaha ABT have opted to use Hugh Barter for the Rookie Free Practice, after the Australian-Japanese driver represented the team at last season’s Berlin Rookie Test. The 20-year-old also has Formula E experience with other teams, and has a great racing resume finishing as the runner-up in both the Spanish F4 Championship and the French F4 Championship in the same year in 2022. 

SCHEDULE: Where, when and how to watch or stream the 2026 Miami E-Prix, Round 3

After an action-packed start to Season 12, you haven't got long to wait until ABB Formula E returns to your screen, and this time, we're returning to The Magic City: Miami. We'll be visiting the Miami International Autodrome. US teams Andretti, CUPRA KIRO and DS PENSKE will be looking to put on a show for their home fans on Saturday 31 January 2026.

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