At just 16 years old, Elia Weiss is set to break records by becoming the youngest person ever to test a Formula E car. The Italian Formula 4 driver has been selected to join the Porsche factory team for a day-long rookie test in Berlin next month.
Weiss, who recently celebrated his 16th birthday, will share the track with DTM driver Ayhancan Güven during the test on July 14. This opportunity makes him the youngest driver to ever get behind the wheel of a Formula E car, surpassing the previous record held by Ugo Ugochukwu who tested for McLaren at the age of 17.
Having clinched the 2024 German karting championship, Weiss is now racing in a Formula 4 car for Cram Motorsport in Italy. His talent caught the attention of Porsche two years ago at the Karting World Cup finals in Italy, leading to this incredible opportunity.
Weiss’s participation in the test is part of the ADAC/DMSB initiative aimed at supporting young racers across various disciplines. Despite his limited experience with only 11 F4 races under his belt this season, Weiss impressed Porsche engineers during simulator tests, earning his spot in the upcoming Formula E test.
The decision to have a 16-year-old driver test a Formula E car has raised eyebrows in the motorsport world, especially considering the high stakes involved. With Porsche contending for world championships, the choice to field a relatively inexperienced driver like Weiss is seen as a bold move.
However, with the success of young drivers like Taylor Barnard in Formula E this season, there is a growing sentiment that younger talents could thrive in the series. As Formula E evolves, there might be a shift towards nurturing emerging talents like Weiss who could potentially excel on the big stage.
Weiss acknowledges the challenge ahead, recognizing the physical and mental demands of driving a Formula E car. With rigorous preparation and determination, he is gearing up to make the most of this opportunity and showcase his potential on the track.
As the motorsport world eagerly anticipates Weiss’s test with Porsche, all eyes will be on the young driver to see how he handles the pressure and performs in one of the most electrifying racing series in the world.
