18 February 2020

W Series race winner Alice Powell set to make Formula E test debut in Marrakesh

W Series race winner Alice Powell is set to make her Formula E test debut next month in Marrakesh.

It was confirmed last week that the 27 year-old is one of Envision Virgin's two drivers for the test.

"Firstly, I'd like to thank the team for the opportunity to test their Formula E car," said Powell.

"It's an amazing experience and I can't wait to jump into the car now, especially having spent time on the team's simulator.

"My work as an ambassador for D2BD allows me to inspire young female drivers and this test will really help further that. I'm also looking forward to working with the team and helping them to extract as much data as possible from the test to help them this season."

Powell will return for a second season in the W series after she finished third in the overall standings in 2019 behind Jamie Chadwick and Beitske Visser. 

But she drove to glory last July when she won the first all-female single-seater championship at Brands Hatch, one of the W Series events.

Envision Virgin managing director Sylvain Filippi added: "It's great to have Alice on-board for the Marrakesh test. As someone who has already driven in an electric championship, she'll bring a great understanding of the technical elements of the car.

"She's spent a lot of time getting to learn the car and the track on our simulator in Silverstone and as a team we're looking forward to getting her out on track."

In 2010, Powell became the first woman to win a Formula Renault Championship and three years later became the only female to score points in the GP3 Series. 

Envision Virgin will announce the second driver for the test later this week, with the race taking place a day after the Marrakesh E-Prix on March 1.

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