What happens when YOUTUBERS drive FORMULA E CARS?

The scene in Jeddah

Ten of the world’s most followed content creators lined up in Jeddah for the 2026 Formula E EVO sessions. The event pairs high-profile influencers with championship teams for a one-day experiment: teach non-professional drivers how to race an electric single-seater and see what happens when entertainment meets top-level motorsport.

What the EVO sessions are and why they exist

The EVO sessions are a deliberate blend of sport and marketing. Formula E invites creators who, between them, reach hundreds of millions of followers to experience the championship firsthand. Each creator is matched with a team and a professional driver who coaches them through a condensed race weekend format based on the championship’s qualifying rules known as the Jules format.

The goal is twofold: give creators an authentic high-performance driving experience and deliver huge organic exposure for Formula E and its teams. The payoff is visibility: clips, social posts, headlines — and occasionally, viral drama.

How the creators were prepared

Safety and preparation were taken seriously, even if the drivers were not professionals. Before arriving at Jeddah, every participant completed several hours on a simulator in England, was measured for bespoke race suits, helmets, and shoes, and received thorough briefings about handling a high-powered electric car.

The on-track procedure limited risk without removing the thrill. Creators went out for a 15-minute session starting with a slow lap behind the safety car. Their first solo lap was restricted to about 60% power, then power was raised incrementally each lap by roughly 10 to 15% until the final laps when full power was permitted if the driver felt comfortable.

Format of the competition

After everyone set a time, the top eight moved into a knockout stage: head-to-head single lap battles where the faster driver progressed. The two slowest initial qualifiers raced for the wooden spoon — a lighthearted way to keep everybody engaged.

That single-lap knockout makes every sector count. With inexperienced hands behind the wheel, small errors become costly and the margin between a clean lap and a spin is thin.

On-track incidents and why they happened

The track in Jeddah is unforgiving: lots of concrete barriers, minimal runoff, and high speeds. Unsurprisingly the day produced a handful of incidents — spins, brushes with the wall, and one particularly severe crash.

Small mistakes were common: a creator lost rear grip and spun, another clipped a wall with three wheels. These incidents underline two realities:

• High speed amplifies mistakes. Electric single-seaters are responsive and quick; errors escalate rapidly.
• Incremental power control matters. Increasing power lap-by-lap is essential for learning grip limits without overcommitting too soon.

Izzy Hammond’s crash: what happened and how it was handled

One of the day’s most talked-about moments involved Izzy Hammond, daughter of Richard Hammond. She suffered a high‑impact crash when the car entered a concrete barrier at speed, registering about 25 G. The car was heavily damaged and effectively a write-off.

“My first thought when I was sat in that wall was, ‘Oh my god, everyone’s watching.
My dad’s watching, he’s going to cry or something. Can someone just tell him that I’m okay?'”

Medical staff checked her at the track; she was taken to the medical center and, within 20 minutes, was back on the phone reassuring family and friends. Formula E covered the cost of the damage. The crash went widely reported, partly because of the family name, and raised predictable questions about allowing influencers into high-performance cars.

The final battles and the winner

The knockout duels produced tense single-lap showdowns. In the final, a composed lap by one creator named Chip edged out Bazinga by 0.410 of a second, crowning him the 2026 EVO sessions champion. The podium included creators partnered with teams like Jaguar and DS, and the atmosphere in the paddock was celebratory despite the earlier incident.

Why this format matters to motorsport and creators

There are clear trade-offs between spectacle and risk. Events like EVO sessions deliver:

• Massive reach. The ten creators represented over 300 million combined followers, guaranteeing attention beyond traditional motorsport audiences.
• Authentic engagement. Seeing influencers struggle, learn, and react in real time produces shareable, human content that polished marketing struggles to match.
• Valuable data. Teams can observe how non-professional drivers adapt to car behavior under coached conditions.

On the flip side, incidents like Izzy’s crash spotlight the physical risks and the potential cost to equipment and reputation. Formula E judged the upside greater than the downside: controlled training, strict protocols, and financial responsibility for damage made the experiment viable. Would Formula 1 allow something similar? Unlikely — the cars are more powerful and repairs are far more expensive — but if they ever wanted mainstream social attention, this is a proven formula.

Practical takeaways for events and creators

1. Invest in simulator time. Virtual laps accelerate learning and reduce on-track mistakes.
2. Stage power deployment. Gradually increasing power keeps drivers within their learning envelope.
3. Have plain rules for liability and repairs. Event organizers covering damage simplifies logistics and reduces creator anxiety.
4. Prepare for PR spikes. High-profile crashes will trend. Fast, transparent communication and medical clarity are essential.

FAQ

What are the EVO sessions?

EVO sessions are a Formula E program that pairs popular content creators with championship
teams. Creators receive training and then take part in a condensed qualifying and knockout
format to find the quickest non-professional driver.

How were the creators prepared before driving?

Each participant completed simulator hours, was fitted for race gear, and attended briefings
on car dynamics and safety. On-track, they followed a graduated power protocol starting at
around 60% and increasing lap-by-lap.

Who pays for crash damage?

In this event, Formula E covered the cost of car damage. That arrangement reduces friction
for creators to participate and ensures teams are not left out of pocket.

Could a similar event happen in Formula 1?

It is unlikely. Formula 1 cars are more powerful, more fragile, and costlier to repair.
The commercial and sporting risks make such influencer-driven sessions impractical for F1.

Was anyone seriously injured?

No serious injuries were reported. The major crash prompted immediate medical checks and
the driver was cleared at the track. Safety teams and medical procedures were in place and
effective.