DS Penske entrusts its Madrid rookie test to Nikita Bedrin and Daniil Kvyat

The Rookie Test organized at the end of the Madrid race weekend will allow several drivers from outside the regular grid to discover or rediscover the electric single-seaters of Formula EThe session will take place on March 22nd at the Jarama Circuit, the day after the first Formula E race held in the Spanish capital.

For DS Penske, this test will be an opportunity to run two very different profiles: a young single-seater prospect and an experienced driver who has competed at the highest level of motorsport. At just 20 years old, Nikita Bedrin continues his progression through the junior formulas. The Italian driver already has considerable experience in international competitions, particularly in karting where he distinguished himself very early on. In 2020, he made a strong impression by dominating the last two rounds of the WSK Super Master Series in the OK category, winning qualifications, heats and finals.

His career then continued in single-seater championships. In 2024, the Italian notably secured a victory in a sprint race. Formula 3confirming his potential against some of the best young drivers in the discipline. For the 2026 season, he will now compete in GB3 with the VRD Racing team, where he is aiming for the title. The Madrid Rookie Test will be his third appearance behind the wheel of a car of Formula E. He had already participated in the Rookie Test organized in Berlin in 2025, before taking part in a test session reserved for rookies during the Miami weekend earlier in the 2026 season. These experiences allowed him to gradually familiarize himself with the specific technology of electric single-seaters and with the workings of a Formula E weekend.

A duo blending youth and experience

Alongside him, DS Penske will also field Daniil Kvyat, a much more experienced driver. Aged 31, the Russian has a solid background in motorsport, notably in Formula 1 where he raced between 2014 and 2020. During his career in the premier class, the driver notably raced for Red Bull et Toro RossoAlpha Tauri, repeatedly distinguishing themselves directly against drivers like Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz ou Daniel RicciardoHe notably achieved a podium finish at the 2015 Hungarian Grand Prix, finishing second behind Sebastian Vettel.

Since leaving Formula 1, Daniil Kvyat has continued his career in various motorsport disciplines. In 2026, he is set to make his debut in the Japanese Super GT championship with the JLOC (Japan Lamborghini Owners' Club) team. The Russian driver also has some experience in Formula E. He previously participated in several young driver tests in Berlin, driving for both DS Penske and the NIO 333 team. These tests allowed him to familiarize himself with the specifics of the series, particularly energy management and the operation of systems specific to electric single-seaters.

The Madrid Rookie Test follows in the tradition of Formula E, which regularly organizes these types of sessions to provide track time for young drivers or competitors from other championships. For teams, these tests also represent a valuable opportunity to gather additional data and test new drivers in a competitive environment. This weekend will therefore mark another step for the electric series, which continues to expand its presence in new markets and on new circuits around the world. For both Bedrin and Kvyat, this test day will represent another opportunity to showcase their skills within the Formula E paddock.

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