Season 12 (2025/26) of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship continues with Round 6, taking place at the Circuito del Jarama – RACE for the first time on 21 March 2026.
Formula E welcomes Madrid to the racing calendar, as the Spanish city prepares to host its very first championship race at the historic Circuito del Jarama – RACE. The championship has visited this track before, when it hosted Season 11 (2024/25) Pre-Season Testing, following terrible flooding, devastating parts of the Valencia region where the series has its usual test base at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, and after plenty of praise from drivers, it has earned a place on the Season 12 calendar.
It’s a venue steeped in history, having hosted Formula 1 across the late ‘60s, much of the ‘70s and held its final Spanish Grand Prix in 1981. Since then it’s become a hub for motorcycle racing, sports cars, and truck racing, but now is back to fronting FIA World Championship events. The circuit Formula E will use is 3.934km and consists of 14 turns, running in a clockwise direction, with plenty of elevation changes, and fast and flowing turns.
The Madrid E-Prix will be using PIT BOOST – an exciting new strategic element introduced last season. During the race, drivers will need to make a mandatory 30-second stop to gain an additional 10% energy boost to their battery. This adds another layer of strategy and additional jeopardy into race strategy to deliver more action-packed racing for the fans. This comes alongside one six-minute ATTACK MODE activation.
Pablo Martino, FIA Head of Formula E, said: “We are delighted to be racing in Formula E for the first time at the Jarama circuit. Since our initial visit for the 2024–2025 pre-season testing, the circuit team has done a remarkable job further adapting the track to the specific requirements of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. Its fast and flowing layout promises an exciting qualifying session as well as a highly unpredictable race, where the deployment of Pit Boost will add an extra strategic challenge for competitors.”
Pepe Martí, No.3, CUPRA Kiro, said: “I’m very excited to race at home this weekend. We’re coming to Madrid following a very strong performance in Race 2 in Jeddah and in the team, hopes are very high. I think it would be ideal if we can maintain this upward trend of good performances and results, and for me, the goal is to score points. I’m very happy with how this season is progressing, and I’m very excited to race at home and to see Formula E’s Spanish fans. I’d love to reward them for their support with a strong finish.”
António Félix Da Costa, No.13, Jaguar TCS Racing, said: “Winning in Jeddah was an incredible moment – my first victory with Jaguar TCS Racing – and it’s given me huge confidence heading into Madrid. This one feels different for me. It’s the closest I’ll get to a home race in Formula E, and having all my friends and family in the grandstands will make it even more special. I’m excited, motivated, and ready to fight at the front again.”
THE ROOKIE TEST RETURNS
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s annual Rookie Test is back for another season, this time moving location from Berlin to Madrid. The one day event, split into two sessions, gives teams a chance to run their cars but only fielding ‘rookie’ drivers.
According to the regulations,’a Driver who has never participated in a Competition or entering a Competition for the first time will be considered as a “Rookie” until the end of the season of its first participation or until the moment it participates in two Competitions in different seasons. Participation in a dedicated Rookie Free Practice as defined in Article 32.6 is not counted as a Competition participation.’
Previously big names in motorsport have participated in rookie tests, including current Williams Racing F1 driver Alexander Albon, Le Mans winner Antonio Giovinazzi, multiple W Series Champion Jamie Chadwick and F1 Academy Champion Abbi Pulling.
Several full-time drivers on the grid have also received permanent seats after impressing during the rookie sessions, including Citroën Racing’s Nick Cassidy, Mahindra Racing and Season 7 World Champion Nyck de Vries and DS PENKSE’s Taylor Barnard.
The full line-up for the Rookie Test can be found below:
Andretti Formula E: Freddie Slater, Callum Voisin
DS PENSKE: Nikita Bedrin, Daniil Kvyat
Envision Racing: Ella Lloyd, Zak O’Sullivan
Jaguar TCS Racing: Juju Noda, Bryce Aron
CUPRA Kiro: Bianca Bustamante, Cian Shields
Lola Yamaha ABT Formula E Team: Hugh Barter, Richard Verschoor
Mahindra Racing: Kush Maini, Theophile Nael
Citroen Racing: Théo Pourchaire, Joshua Durksen
Nissan Formula E Team: Abbi Pulling, Victor Martins
Porsche Formula E Team: Elia Weiss, Ayhancan Güven
FIVE DIFFERENT RACES, FIVE DIFFERENT WINNERS
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship has remained very unpredictable across the first five events of the 2025/26 season. There have been five different winners from four teams, with the level of competition still one of the highest in international motorsport.
Jake Dennis took first honours for himself and Andretti Formula E in Brazil, after starting from pole to take victory. It was a long-time coming for the Season 9 Champion, who had waited almost two years to stand back on the top step of the podium.
Next up was Nick Cassidy who climbed up the grid from 13th to first in front of the adoring Mexican fans, to take a first win for Citroën Racing; just two races into their single-seater debut. Then it was Mitch Evans and Jaguar TCS Racing who celebrated success, putting their first points on the board after a challenging start to Season 12. Evans, who now tops the all-time wins record in Formula E after his 15th career victory, drove from ninth to first during a wet race at the Miami International Autodrome which was a new race venue for this season.
Jeddah saw Pascal Wehrlein climb back to the top spot with Porsche after starting third, and now places him top of the standings as we go into Madrid on 68 points. The following day, António Félix da Costa became the fifth winner in five races, just five races into his move to Jaguar TCS Racing. The team became the first this season to secure victories on either side of their garage.
Edoardo Mortara achieved both the pole positions in Jeddah, but unfortunately wasn’t able to convert them into first place, and reigning FIA World Champion Oliver Rowland has picked up three podiums already this season but has yet to stand on the top step as victor.
FIA GIRLS ON TRACK AT THE MADRID E-PRIX
Reaffirming its commitment to education and gender inclusivity in motorsport, the FIA Girls on Track initiative for Season 12 is aiming to reach even more young women in every race market, supporting the growing demand of young women who are seeking opportunities and support to pursue careers in motorsport.
FIA Girls on Track activity for the 2026 CUPRA Raval Madrid E-Prix includes hosting up to 120 young women for its FIA Girls on Track programme across the race week. Attendees will participate in workshops, gaming, career talks and a Pit Lane Walk, promoting empowerment and education in motorsport and engineering.