Five things to look forward to ahead of the Formula E's pre-season testing
- Maahika Banerjee
- Oct 26
- 4 min read
Written by Maahika Banerjee, Edited by Vyas Ponnuri
The past three months have been defining ones for the 2025/26 Formula E season. With major driver changes, the arrival of a new team and the departure of another, the stage is set for what promises to be an electrifying pre-season test in Valencia from 27–31 October 2025.
As the all-electric championship prepares for Season 12, teams will embark on four days of running at Circuit Ricardo Tormo, putting the updated Gen3 Evo machinery through its paces. This period is crucial as teams assess the latest evolution of the car and gather data to refine strategies ahead of the new campaign.
With so much to take in, here are five things to look forward to before the lights go green in Spain.
1. First look at Citroën and new driver pairings
On 11 September 2025, Citroën Racing was officially unveiled as Formula E’s newest team. Formerly known as Maserati MSG Racing, the outfit has been rebranded under the Citroën name, marking the brand’s return to top-level international motorsport and its first foray into all-electric single-seater racing.
Former Jaguar driver Nick Cassidy and double Formula E champion Jean-Éric Vergne have been confirmed as the formidable duo set to lead the new team into Season 12 — one of several refreshed line-ups across the grid. With a flurry of driver movements during the off-season, only Nissan and Mahindra Racing have retained their previous pairings.
The Valencia pre-season test will provide teams with an opportunity to evaluate new partnerships, fine-tune driver dynamics and gather valuable data ahead of the campaign; for Citroën, it represents a crucial first outing: a chance to assess performance and lay the groundwork for a strong debut season.
2. Return of the all-women’s test
The all-women’s test returns for its second edition on 31 October, 2025. An initiative designed to promote gender diversity and inclusion within Formula E —this test offers female drivers the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the current Gen3 Evo cars used in the main championship, rather than older models, providing a genuine performance comparison.
First introduced in 2024, the programme has already yielded results, with five participants going on to secure roles within the Formula E ecosystem. Among them, Abbi Pulling signed a multi-year deal with Nissan as their rookie and simulator driver.
With up to 14 drivers taking part and double the track time as compared to last year, this year’s test will further showcase the growing female presence in electric motorsport.
3. Hankook’s final season as Formula E tyre manufacturer (for now)
Now entering its fourth and final year as Formula E’s exclusive tyre supplier, Hankook will once again equip all teams with its proven Gen3 Evo iON Race tyre. The South Korean manufacturer has been a steady constant in the championship since joining in Season 9, delivering strong performance and reliability — without a single tyre-related incident.
This year’s Valencia test will be the final opportunity for teams to evaluate the iON Race under a full testing schedule, monitoring grip consistency, thermal stability and energy efficiency across long runs.
Drivers have continued to praise the tyre’s predictability and balance. DS Penske’s Maximilian Günther described it as offering “remarkable grip and precise balance” under pressure.
4. Early performance clues and reliability checks
While lap times at Valencia rarely tell the whole story, they still offer the first hints of who might be on form heading into the new season. Engineers will focus on mileage, consistency and reliability — all vital factors in a championship where efficiency is as valuable as outright speed.
During 2024's pre-season testing in Jarama, Porsche looked to be the team on-song ahead of Season 10, and they eventually went on to seal their maiden constructors' title in London.
Last year’s test saw a handful of reliability scares, including a high-profile battery issue that briefly halted running. However, teams such as Jaguar have completed over 1000 kilometres in testing without major issues.
Valencia also provides the first chance to measure communication and chemistry under pressure. With its blend of technical corners and long straights, the circuit encourages race-run simulations and energy-management trials rather than outright qualifying pace. Fans and analysts will be watching to see whether any midfield contenders can spring a surprise ahead of the season opener in São Paulo.
5. All eyes on the Gen4 era
While the pre-season test is officially focused on perfecting the Gen3 Evo package for Season 12, many teams will already be thinking ahead. The upcoming Gen4 car, set to debut in Season 13, promises major advancements in power output, regeneration and ultra-fast charging.
While teams will certainly be focusing a lot on pre-season testing and laying down a strong marker for the upcoming Formula E campaign, it will be interesting to follow the approach that teams will take towards the upcoming Gen4 era, which will also be seen unofficial Gen4 tests conducted in the future.
As the countdown to Season 12 continues, attention will turn to whether any midfield contenders can emulate Nissan’s remarkable rise, with Oliver Rowland clinching his first Formula E crown in Season 11. With new driver pairings taking to the racetrack for the first time, and Citroën Racing preparing for its long-awaited debut, the pecking order could certainly look very different come São Paulo.
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