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Madrid became the 40th venue to host an FIA Formula E World Championship race, and the inaugural 2026 CUPRA Raval Madrid E-Prix delivered a weekend rich in storylines. From milestone moments for Citroën Racing to a commanding Jaguar one-two and a headline home performance for CUPRA KIRO, Jarama’s return to top-level electric racing made an immediate impact.
Here are the five defining themes from a memorable weekend in the Spanish capital.
The Circuito del Jarama stepped in during Season 11 to host pre-season testing following devastating flooding in Valencia. Eighteen months on, it returned in a far bigger role — staging its first championship race in Madrid.
With a deep-rooted motorsport heritage, including hosting Formula 1 from the late 1960s through to the early 1980s, Jarama brought history and character to the Formula E calendar. The 3.934km layout — one of the longest of the season — proved a relentless challenge. Narrow margins and minimal forgiveness meant even small mistakes carried major consequences, particularly evident in qualifying where multiple drivers found the gravel.
The atmosphere matched the occasion. A sell-out crowd packed the grandstands, eager to see home hero Pepe Martí and witness Formula E’s return to Spain for the first time in five years. The verdict from both paddock and spectators was clear: Jarama belongs on this stage.
Nick Cassidy’s start with Citroën Racing has been nothing short of productive. After winning in just the team’s second race in Mexico City and securing a podium in São Paulo, he added another landmark in Madrid by claiming the Julius Baer Pole Position.
Progressing through the Duels, Cassidy defeated Nyck de Vries in the final to secure top spot. However, pole position did not translate into race-day reward. Despite showing strong pace, Cassidy slipped to 17th by the chequered flag.
“It was an up and down day for me, but that’s Formula E,” Cassidy reflected. *“We did a great job in qualifying and the team gave me a really strong car, which was encouraging. The pace was there in the race as well, but we struggled a bit with overall efficiency, which made things more difficult as the race unfolded.
“I think we were unlucky with how the strategy played out, especially with how tight the pack was and how sensitive the energy management was today. We did pretty much everything we could with what we had, but small factors can make a big difference in this kind of race.”
In a race defined by fine margins and energy sensitivity, Cassidy’s day underlined just how quickly fortunes can swing.
Antonio Felix da Costa became the first double winner of the season, claiming victory in front of a strong contingent of Portuguese supporters. The Season 6 champion led home teammate Mitch Evans in a statement result for Jaguar TCS Racing.
It marked the third time the British outfit has secured a one-two finish in Formula E. Evans’ drive was particularly noteworthy, climbing from 16th on the grid to second through a strategy that left him with more usable energy in the closing stages.
Late tension briefly surfaced as the pair ran in close proximity, but team orders ensured no unnecessary risks on the final lap. The result stood — and the reward was significant.
Jaguar’s points haul moved them to within four points of Porsche in the Teams’ World Championship standings, tightening the fight at the top.
For CUPRA KIRO, the Madrid E-Prix carried added weight. With Spanish driver Pepe Martí on the grid, sponsorship from CUPRA, and Team Owner Idris Elba present, expectations were high.
Martí delivered one of the standout moments of the race. Activating ATTACK MODE at a pivotal phase, he surged through the field and led several laps — a sequence that ignited the grandstands. The roar of the home support was unmistakable.
He ultimately finished ninth in his first home race, securing valuable points. Teammate Dan Ticktum came agonisingly close to a podium but lost out in dramatic fashion. Attempting a late move on Evans into the final chicane, he misjudged the manoeuvre and was overtaken by Pascal Wehrlein in the final metres, slipping out of the top three.
Despite the near-miss, a double points finish capped a landmark weekend for the team.
Jarama also hosts the annual Rookie Test, with 20 emerging talents taking to the track on Sunday 22 March to gain experience in the GEN3 Evo machinery.
The Rookie Test has long served as a pathway into full-time Formula E competition. Current drivers such as Taylor Barnard, Nick Cassidy, Max Guenther and Nyck de Vries all previously progressed through this route.
As Madrid’s debut race weekend concluded, Jarama had already proven more than a stopgap solution. It delivered history, unpredictability and championship implications — and may well have secured its place as a future cornerstone of the Formula E calendar.
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.
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