Five takeaways from the Madrid E-Prix

Written by Teagan Crump, Edited by Grace Hobson 

Formula E’s Madrid E-Prix marked the championship’s return to racing in Spain for the first time since 2021. There was much anticipation around the Madrid round, and it definitely delivered exciting racing and some shock results.

Credit: Malcolm Griffiths/LAT Images

Madrid should be here to stay

This weekend proved that the Madrid E-Prix should be here to stay. The weekend was sold out, showing that there is a growing interest in the all-electric series. Both fans and drivers shared the opinion that the circuit was a beneficial addition to the calendar, giving Pepe Martí and Cupra Kiro a home race. 

The Circuito del Jarama is rich in history, having hosted Formula One races, and is now shaping a new future in the all-electric series. The Madrid E-Prix is targeting new, younger fans and showing that there is a positive reception for motorsports in Spain

Jaguar have gotten their Season 11 pace back

Jaguar’s 1-2 finish this weekend showed that they have the capability to fight for higher positions after a poor start to the season.

Last season, Jaguar won six races and got several further podiums, finishing second in the overall standings. The end of Season 11 was extremely positive, with Cassidy winning the final three races for the British-based team, but they had a less-than-ideal start to Season 12. 

Both drivers have suffered a non- finish, with Mitch Evans failing to finish in São Paulo and António Félix da Costa not finishing in Mexico City. However Jaguar have a strong pairing who have proven in the past that they can fight at the front, having 29 race wins between them.

Currently, the two Jaguar drivers sit third and fourth with a combined five podiums in the standings after six races

Formula E is capable of racing on larger tracks

The more traditional style of circuit did not make an appearance until Season 3, when the series first raced at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

Credit: Zak Mauger/LAT Images

The Circuito del Jarama is the longest track on the Formula E calendar, with a length of 2.444 miles (3.934 km), and it provided unique challenges. Energy management around a lap is vital when it is 0.37 miles longer than the second-longest track.

This weekend showed that Formula E can race on permanent and longer tracks rather than solely street circuits and still have exciting races.

Despite the limited number of laps, the racing can still be dramatic and interesting. This development means that in the future, Formula E has the capability to expand into different track types and can become even more accessible to fans. 

Pit Boost and Attack Mode can make or break a race

We have seen in past races that Attack Mode timing is vital for a race. Drivers face disqualification if they do not take it during a race, but if they take it too early, they risk falling behind from battles from higher points-paying positions. Attack Mode is a vital factor in a Formula E race and can effectively change the results of a race.

Pit Boost added another complex element to the race as drivers had to strategise carefully on when to use it, given the rules surrounding the boost. The feature also affected the race as it changed the leader significantly. 

When the majority of drivers took it, they appeared to be further down the field, which seemed negative at first but they were actually in a better position than the non-Pit Boost leader.

Cupra Kiro have the ability to be frontrunners

Since taking his maiden Formula E win in Jakarta in Season 11, Dan Ticktum looks as though he has been going from strength to strength. Ticktum did not have an ideal start to the season with him suffering three non-finishes in the first five races, but something seemed to shift in Madrid and the Briton appeared to have gained his Season 11 pace back. 

Additionally, Ticktum looked set to claim a podium in Spain before being overtaken by Pascal Wehrlein on the last lap. 

Pepe Martí also looked to have an impressive pace in Madrid, even taking the lead of the race. The rookie helped the Spanish team to secure a 1-2 finish and secure valuable points after a negative start to his Formula E season.