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women of fe interview season 12

F1 Academy's Maya Weug reflects on a "very different" experience driving the GEN3 Evo

INTERVIEW 23 Feb 2026 3 Mins

After getting her first experience of Formula E machinery, Maya Weug reflects on her experience at the Miami E-Prix.

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women of fe interview season 12

At the 2026 Miami E-Prix, F1 Academy runner-up, Maya Weug, had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the GEN3 Evo mule car to perform some exhibition laps ahead of the race.

“I really enjoyed my first time in a Formula E car,” Maya says. “It's a very different car from what I'm used to and a lot more powerful, but it was really exciting and I loved the laps that I was able to do.

“I didn't know what I was preparing for. All I can prepare is to know where the corners are going, let's say. But no, I really enjoyed it. Everyone has been super helpful and it's been great to try it out.”

For Weug, who is no stranger to single-seater racing, this was a first chance to drive an all-electric race car.

Everything you need to know about Formula E's latest race car: GEN3 Evo

“It's very different,” she explains. “You don't have gears, the driving style is also a bit different, but in the end, you brake more or less in the same places and the lines are the same. So, I think it was just getting used to that acceleration and not hearing the engine, let's say, because that's where you get a lot of feedback usually when you're driving and (with an electric race car) it's a different kind of feedback you get.

“The engine usually tells you if you had a good corner when you exit and you go on power. Usually, the RPM tells you how good it was or when you upshift and so on. So that's a bit strange because you lose that sense, but I think it's something you can get used to very quickly.”

Ahead of getting behind the wheel for the first time, the Dutch racer sought the advice of fellow F1 Academy alumni, Abbi Pulling and Chloe Chambers, both of whom have taken part in the Formula E Women’s Test.

First introduced ahead of Season 9, this groundbreaking idea allows the best and brightest talents to get behind the wheel of a current Formula E car to learn and develop their skills. All teams are invited to run two women across the session, with the field introducing new faces as well as welcoming back familiar faces.

The initiative is all part of the championship’s long-term commitment to accelerating diversity and equality in motorsport alongside the FIA, ranging from grassroots and up to the highest levels.

“I've been speaking to Abbi and Chloe the past few days,” Maya says. “And they gave me some tips on how it felt for them the first time, and then of course there's Bruno Correia (Formula E Safety Car driver) he's been really helpful. We did some laps in the Safety Car with him before we went out on track with the Formula E car and he told us everything, so it's been good to have him too.”

Despite only getting the chance to complete a few laps in the GEN3 Evo, Weug’s learnt a lot from her experience, and hasn’t ruled out returning to Formula E in the future.

“I think you always learn every day,” she states. “And I think adapting to different cars is something very important for us as racing drivers and to learn how different cars work and so on is something that you can always use in the future.

“I love racing and it’s what I want to do for the rest of my life. I enjoyed today, so you never know what the future may bring.”