DUBAI: Women drivers will compete against male counterparts in Formula E’s “Rookie Test” for up and coming drivers after the inaugural Saudia Ad Diriyah E-Prix race on December 15. The Rookie Test will take place on December 16 at the newly transformed ancient site into Formula E race track, the Kingdom’s General sports authority said. Female drivers will line up against male rivals on the grid to take part in the official in-season test for the forthcoming season of the FIA ABB Formula E Championship. The list consists of a varied group of up-and-coming talent along with well-known faces, including the first Emirati female racing driver, Amna Al-Qubaisi. Al-Qubaisi has had a steep progression in her career so far, starting karting aged 13, and going on to win the UAE Rotax Max Challenge Championship before more recently competing in Formula 4 with Prema Theodore Racing. “Im very proud to be representing women in general and Arabian women in particular. This test drive is another stepping-stone towards my dream of a professional career in motorsports and thanks to the continuous support of Kaspersky Lab, this dream will eventually come true,” Al-Qubaisi said. Saudi Princess Haifa bint Mohammed bin Saud, Secretary General of the organizing committee for the race, said: “Through the increased participation in and hosting of world-class sports within Vision 2030, we want to inspire the young people of Saudi Arabia towards greater achievement and taking an active role in every part of life.”