The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship has reached round six, and for the first time in twelve seasons, we arrive in Madrid. With a whole new venue, the 20 drivers enter this weekend equal in experience around the circuit.
The season so far has been filled with non-stop action. Coming into round 6, there’s no way to predict who will take the top spot. Multiple teams have started the season so far quite strong, so Madrid will likely be no different. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of this E-Prix.
FE Returns to Spain
The 2026 CUPRA Raval Madrid E-Prix is hosted at the Circuito del Jarama, 3.934 km of high speed and elevation changes. If the drivers want to succeed here, they will need to master the 14 corners under the Spanish sun. The track itself has extensive action, having hosted Formula 1 between 1968 and 1981. Since that point, it has seen regular events such as motorcycle and truck racing. The E-Prix returns the Madrid circuit to world championship status.
“The arrival of Formula E in Madrid represents a new benchmark for Spain” – Markus Haupt, CEO of CUPRA
Despite the circuit being a new addition to the FE calendar, Circuito del Jarama hosted the 2024 pre-season test after the original Valencia location was affected by flooding. This gives those who participated an ounce of familiarity going into the weekend.
During the race, drivers will take up their attack mode at turn 7. With a variety of corners, the start straight between turn 14 and turn 1 remains the optimal overtaking spot. It’s likely however, that the high-speed corners around Circuito del Jarama will create great action.
Pit Boost Makes Its Return
This weekend will also see the drivers taking advantage of Pit Boost. During the session, the drivers will receive a 6-minute Attack Mode activation alongside a Pit Boost. The Jeddah E-Prix also incorporated Pit Boost during the double-header.
How Pit Boost works is the drivers will be required to take a mandatory 30-second pit stop, in which they will gain 10% additional energy for their battery. With such a long stop during the race, the teams and drivers will have the added challenge of battery management, strategy and timing. It should create a race filled with more action and unpredictability.
Wehrlein leads into Round 6
The season has been anything but predictable so far, with 5 different drivers winning the 5 races we’ve had. After his victory in round 4, Pascal Wehrlein finds himself top of the standings on 68 points. Also taking victory in Jeddah was Antonio Felix da Costa. In the championship standings, Edoardo Mortara sits only 6 points off the leader, with reigning champion Oliver Rowland trailing him by 13 points.
The other three drivers to take victory so far in season 12 were Jake Dennis, Nick Cassidy and Mitch Evans, who now sits with the all-time win record in Formula E. His win in Miami secured the 15th of his career. With 4 teams taking the top spot at each round so far this season, there’s no way to know who will be strong in Madrid until the cars hit the circuit on Friday.
This weekend will be particularly special for Cupra Kiro, not only for Cupra’s involvement with the E-Prix, but it marks the first FE home race for Josep Maria Martí. Martí had a difficult start to the season with his crash in São Paulo, but has since then had three point-scoring races and secured the fastest lap in Jeddah. The Spanish rookie will have the support of home fans on his side.
Rookies Will Hit the Circuit
The Rookie Test is a chance for the teams to showcase young talent while also testing the cars. This season, the session will take place in Madrid, moving from its previous location during the Berlin E-Prix. Each team has announced their driver duos, with drivers coming from series such as Formula 3.
The session will run on Sunday 22nd March, with it being split into two run times, allowing one driver from a team at a time to have undivided attention. In the past, many drivers have taken part in these test sessions, including Alexander Albon, who now races for Atlassian Williams Formula 1 team, and F1 Academy champion Abbi Pulling.
A good rookie session can lead to future opportunities in Formula E, so the drivers will be eager to impress their teams. Taylor Barnard was a recent driver to receive his Formula E seat after his successful rookie test session. Others included Nick Cassidy and Nyck de Vries.
This weekend has come with a lot of anticipation from the drivers, teams and fans. The action starts on Friday for what should be an eventful E-Prix!