The new Opel GSE Formula E team has signed former Formula 3 driver Sophia Floersch as its test and development driver, making the 25-year-old the German manufacturer’s first contracted driver as it prepares for its debut later this year. 

Floersch has not raced competitively since a short-lived stint in the Indy NXT with HMD Motorsport last spring, but has been talking to Opel for some time about a role with the operation, which was announced last month at Jarama.

Her signing will mean that there are now four official female development drivers in Formula E, with Abbi Pulling, Bianca Bustamante and Nerea Marti holding similar roles for Nissan, Cupra Kiro and Andretti, respectively.

Floersch will make her first public appearance on April 21 and 22, when the new Gen4 cars of the all-electric series will be officially presented in France.

The Race understands that Floersch will get her first laps in the Stellantis Gen4 development car at the launch event, with the Opel GSE Formula E team taking centre stage for Stellantis at the event. Citroen personnel, including drivers, will be at the launch event too. 

Commenting on the signing, Opel team principal Jorg Schrott said that Opel was “sending a clear signal for the consistent promotion of young talents in electric motorsport.

“Her precise technical feedback, as well as her analytical way of working in the simulator and on the track, will play an essential role in the further development of our Gen4 package.

“At the same time, her fresh approach fits perfectly with our ‘OMG! GSE campaign’, with which we present the emotional side of our all-electric high-performance models. We combine targeted talent promotion with high sporting standards and thus strengthen the visibility of a new generation in motorsport that combines sporting performance with public presence."

Floersch was scheduled to appear at the Jarama pre-season test in November 2024, but withdrew after the initially planned event at Valencia was cancelled and the all-female test day was moved.

She would have joined Pulling at the test, and had prepared in Nissan’s in-house driver-in-the-loop simulator prior to the planned test day. 

Floersch's last full-time racing campaign came in Formula 3 on F1's support bill in 2024. She finished 29th in the drivers' championship with a best race finish of 11th.

Opel closes on Evans deal

Mitch Evans has become a strong favourite to race for Opel next season, meaning that his decade as a Jaguar driver could come to an end this August.

The Race understands that Evans has been made an offer by Opel recently and that a move away from Jaguar could be formalised as soon as next month.

Evans has not been part of the Jaguar Gen4 test programme so far, with Stoffel Vandoorne, Antonio Felix da Costa and Envision’s Sebastien Buemi having conducted the running.

Should Evans and Opel agree on a deal, it is expected that Theo Pourchaire will lead the chase to join Formula E’s most winning driver at the team, which comes under the Stellantis range of brands.

The Race has learned that Opel had targeted Jake Dennis earlier this year with an offer believed to be on the table for the 2023 champion. 

That was active until Dennis opened up negotiations with Andretti about a new long-term contract, which was confirmed just after the Jeddah E-Prix in February.