Madrid Rookie Test: Kush Maini returns for Mahindra Racing, Daniil Kvyat to drive for DS Penske

Almost all the teams have announced the rookies they will be fielding at the upcoming Madrid Rookie Test. While many drivers from other racing formats will be making their Formula E debut at the Circuito del Jarama, some big names have also emerged.

Among them is former Red Bull Racing driver Daniil Kvyat. He will be driving for DS Penske, while Kush Maini will return to take part in another rookie test for Mahindra Racing.

Daniil Kvyat and Kush Maini to take part in Madrid Rookie Test

Kush Maini and Theophile Nael will be driving for Mahindra Racing at the Madrid Rookie Test. Maini is Mahindra Racing’s reserve driver and topped the Rookie Free Practice session in Jeddah last year. He is also part of the Alpine Academy and currently competes in Formula 2.

Besides the experienced Maini, Mahindra Racing has selected Theophile Nael, who will be making his Formula E debut at the Madrid Rookie Test. Nael will drive a Formula E GEN3 Evo car for the first time. The Formula 3 driver, however, already has experience in other racing formats. He won the French F4 Championship in 2018, the Spanish F4 Championship, and the Macau Grand Prix in 2025.

DS Penske has selected big names for the Madrid Rookie Test, including former Formula One driver Daniil Kvyat and Nikita Bedrin.

Kvyat will be one of the most experienced racers at the Circuito del Jarama on 22 March, given his extensive F1 career with teams such as Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso. He previously drove the GEN3 Evo car during the Berlin Rookie Test last year and is also set to make his debut in the Super GT this year with the Japan Lamborghini Owners' Club.

Bedrin will be driving a Formula E car for the third time after participating in the Berlin Rookie Test last year and this year’s Miami Rookie Free Practice session.

He will otherwise be competing in the GB3 Championship this season.

Zak O'Sullivan to join Ella Lloyd at Envision Racing for Madrid Rookie Test

Envision Racing has given their simulator driver Zak O'Sullivan another opportunity to drive a Formula E car at the Madrid Rookie Test. He will also compete in the Super Formula this year.Sharing his excitement about the opportunity, Zak O’Sullivan told Formula E, “After a successful FP0 session in Miami, I’m excited to get a full day in the car in Madrid.

It’s been a good start to the season for the team, so I’ll be working hard to assist where I can with data and feedback.”Envision Racing had earlier announced Ella Lloyd, a McLaren development driver, as one of the two rookies selected for the Madrid Rookie Test. The session is scheduled to take place a day after the maiden Madrid E-Prix on Sunday, 22 March.Also read: Cian Shields to make Formula E debut with Cupra Kiro at Madrid Rookie Test