REEM AL ABOUD Sets Speed Record as Women Stage Formula E Comeback

February 21, 2025

by Anoushka Gosain // from www.femalesinmotorsport.com

• REEM AL ABOUD just obliterated the FIA single-seater acceleration record, hitting 0-60 mph in 2.49 seconds with Formula E’s GENBETA car—faster than F1 machinery. The Saudi trailblazer, who became the first Saudi woman to drive a Formula E car the same year women gained driving rights in her country, proves that when we get equal opportunities, we don’t just compete—we set the damn pace.
• The Valencia Women’s Test delivered exactly what we needed: ABBI PULLING topping the timesheets for Nissan while JAMIE CHADWICK and TATIANA CALDERÓN showed strong in practice sessions. After years of watching from the sidelines, women are finally getting meaningful track time again, and surprise—we’re immediately competitive when given proper opportunities.
• While recent seasons saw minimal female representation, the pioneers never really left—they just shifted gears. SIMONA DE SILVESTRO remains the only woman to score Formula E points (twice), ALICE POWELL has been crucial to Envision Racing’s development work, and KATHERINE LEGGE opened doors as the series’ first female driver in 2014. Their behind-the-scenes contributions kept the foundation strong.
• Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds isn’t just talking diversity—he’s betting on it, literally predicting a female world champion before F1 gets one. With mandatory female testing requirements and genuine development opportunities emerging, we’re seeing a series that actually walks the walk on inclusion instead of just posting pretty PR statements.

ABB FIA Formula E, electric racing, fia single-seater, nissan formula e