Update: rookie test in Formula E: Kvyat does well, Van der Linde on top

Among the participants are some familiar names. For instance, Daniil Kvyat will enter on behalf of the NIO team. The Russian drove for six seasons in Formula 1, at Red Bull Racing and AlphaTauri (or its predecessor Toro Rosso). Meanwhile, Kwyat is active in the World Endurance Championship (WEC). This is the first time the Russian is stepping into an FE car.

F1 debut deflected

Aston Martin's test and reserve driver is also active in Berlin. At the beginning of the season, due to an injury to Lance Stroll, it looked like Felipe Drugovich would debut in F1, but the Brazilian had to watch in Bahrain at the last minute. Maserati will give Drugovich the opportunity to show his qualities during the test day in Germany. With Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll also under contract to Aston Martin for next season, the FE may be a nice alternative for Drugovich.

Victor Martins may not yet be a familiar name, but the Frenchman is widely regarded as a great talent who can make it to Formula 1. Martins, part of the Alpine Academy, debuted in Formula 2 this season and will race for Nissan (part of the Renault group, like Alpine) on Monday. Zane Maloney is also in Berlin. The Barbadian is one of the reserve drivers for Red Bull Racing, the team that also entered him in training. Maloney drives for Avalanche Andretti, a top team in the FE.

Former Formula 1 drivers Will Stevens (DS Penske) and Jack Aitken (Envision) are also present. So is Ferrari reserve Robert Shwartzman. He steps into DS Penske as well.

Our rookies have taken to the track

Drop the name of your favourite driver in the comments below pic.twitter.com/fW5vk3TOsi

— ABB FIA Formula E World Championship (@FIAFormulaE) April 24, 2023

Update: Van der Linde fast

South African driver Sheldon van der Linde snatched P1 in the dying seconds of the session, leading the timesheets before Ghiotto en Jehan Daruvala.