Random learnings from the Evo Sessions

With the Formula E Evo Sessions having taken place in Miami recently, where well-known personalities had the opportunity to collaborate with the 11 Formula E teams, we gained some fascinating insights into both the Evo Session drivers and the full-time Season 11 drivers.

From following the content shared by the teams and personalities on social media, here are some of the most amusing, unexpected, and intriguing observations:

1. Tom Felton Is Quite the Hugger

Ahead of the event, Harry Potter actor Tom Felton and Envision Racing development driver Alice Powell documented their preparations extensively on social media. A noticeable trend emerged—Felton consistently celebrated successes with hugs or other forms of physical contact. This continued even in Miami, where full-time Envision driver Sébastien Buemi took over mentoring duties. Initially seemingly taken aback by Felton’s enthusiastic hugs, Buemi eventually adapted to the affectionate celebrations.

2. Mentorship Extended Beyond Assigned Drivers

While each Evo Session driver was assigned a mentor from their respective team, mentorship was not always exclusive. David Beckmann assisted JUCA with simulator preparation, while Alice Powell took the lead in mentoring Tom Felton before the Miami event. It was seemingly only upon arrival in Miami that Sébastien Buemi assumed responsibility for Felton’s training.

3. Mentors Were (Mostly) Chosen Based on Parenthood Status

An unexpected pattern emerged regarding how mentors were assigned. It appeared that drivers without children were primarily selected as mentors, while those with children (such as Buemi) only took over responsibilities in Miami after other team members handled the initial preparation. This workload distribution is an intriguing insight into how teams approached mentorship.

Could Envision's Robin Frijns have opted out due to wedding preparations? That would certainly explain his absence from the mentor selection.

Meanwhile, Nico Müller shared photos and video of him spending time in the Swiss mountains karting and cycling with his son Fynn, while Oliver Rowland shared moments of relaxation by the pool with his daughter. Besides Buemi, Pascal Wehrlein was the other father present in Miami—likely attending due to his status as the reigning Formula E World Champion, as well as his admiration for, and eagerness to work with Sergio Agüero.

4. The Chemistry Between Formula E Drivers and Evo Session Drivers Was Heartwarming

The interactions between the full-time Formula E drivers and their Evo Session counterparts were a joy to watch. Pascal Wehrlein and Maximilian Günther adopted almost paternal roles, providing protective guidance, while Norman Nato and Dan Ticktum took on more of a supportive, humorous friendship dynamic. Ticktum and JUCA bonded over their bold fashion choices and colourful language, while Nato and Supercar Blondie engaged in playful strategising, jokingly mentioning deploying 'banana peel' tactics to outpace the other pairings.

Sam Bird, mentoring Chleo Abrams, resembled a university professor instructing an eager and inquisitive student. Could his past experience as a personal trainer have contributed to his mentoring ability and style? 

The variety of mentor-mentee relationships was truly fascinating to observe.

5. Claustrophobia in a Formula E Car—A Thought-Provoking Perspective

Footballer and YouTuber Theo Baker introduced an aspect: claustrophobia within a Formula E car. He described how the combination of the tight cockpit, headrest, seatbelts, and other restrictive elements in the car created an intense feeling of confinement. This insight shed light on a psychological challenge that many may not have previously acknowledged in single-seater Formula-style racing.

6. Supercar Blondie Speaks German—With a Swiss Accent!

A surprising revelation came during an interview with Servus TV, where it was discovered that Supercar Blondie speaks German—pretty flawlessly, and with a Swiss accent! This was unexpected from an Australian automotive enthusiast. The reason? Her Swiss partner, who influenced her accent, making for an unusual yet impressive linguistic twist.

7. Influencer Collaborations Created Some Unexpected Bonds

The Evo Sessions did not just bring influencers and motorsport together—it fostered genuine connections. Sergio Agüero affectionately referred to Pascal Wehrlein as his “bro”, while Ammar from Yes Theory expressed plans to visit Monaco to further support Andretti and his mentor Jake Dennis. Could this event possibly have been the starting point of some lasting friendships and connections? Time will tell.

Final Thoughts

The Evo Sessions provided a unique blend of fun, camaraderie, and surprising insights. From unexpected mentorship patterns to entertaining interactions between drivers and influencers, the event showcased the sport’s ability to engage new audiences in fresh and innovative ways. 

Formula E announced a feature-length documentary about the event and its behind-the-scenes details, which will be released later in 2025. Will we be able to see more fascinating new discoveries from that? We'll see.