Formula E’s return to Madrid could hardly have been scripted better. On a day marked by the presence of Felipe VI, the series delivered one of its most dramatic races in recent memory at the Circuito de Jarama. The Spanish monarch was seen engaging with drivers throughout the day, with particular attention given to home favourite Pepe Martí, before later taking part in the podium ceremony.
On track, the spectacle matched the occasion. The Madrid E-Prix, marking the championship’s 40th venue, was decided in the final corners, with António Félix da Costa leading a commanding one-two for Jaguar TCS Racing, ahead of teammate Mitch Evans. Pascal Wehrlein completed the podium after a fierce late-race battle.
A race shaped by strategy and innovation
With the track still damp from earlier conditions, teams faced a complex strategic puzzle from the outset. Adding to the challenge was the mandatory PIT BOOST, a decisive element unique to this event, alongside the traditional ATTACK MODE deployments.
From pole, Nick Cassidy made a clean start, holding the lead into Turn 1 ahead of Nyck de Vries and da Costa. Early momentum, however, came from the midfield, with aggressive moves and rapid position changes setting the tone for what would become a relentless race.
An early flashpoint came on Lap 3, when de Vries made contact with Wehrlein at the hairpin, briefly launching his Mahindra into the air and sustaining front wing damage. Though he continued, the incident earned him a five-second penalty and compromised what had been a promising run.
Early aggression and shifting leaders
The opening phase saw constant changes at the front. Felipe Drugovich was among the first to gamble on strategy, activating ATTACK MODE early and surging through the field. By Lap 8, the Brazilian had carved his way into the race lead, showcasing both pace and decisiveness in changing conditions.
Moments later, the home crowd erupted as Pepe Martí briefly took the lead using his own ATTACK MODE deployment, delivering a standout moment for Spanish fans packed into the grandstands.
PIT BOOST reshuffles the race
The opening of the PIT BOOST window marked a critical turning point. A group of frontrunners, led by da Costa, dived into the pit lane early, aiming to undercut rivals and gain track position.
As the cycle of stops unfolded, the order continued to evolve. Temporary leaders emerged as ATTACK MODE strategies overlapped, but once all stops were completed, da Costa emerged in a net race-leading position. The Portuguese driver had executed a near-perfect combination of timing, energy management and track position.
Final laps deliver a classic
What followed was a breathtaking sprint to the finish. With energy margins tight and multiple drivers converging at the front, the final laps saw five cars battling within a single frame.
Dan Ticktum produced one of the standout moves of the race, sweeping around the outside of Wehrlein to take second place, only for Evans to follow through shortly after. The Jaguar driver then made a decisive move on Ticktum, setting up a direct fight with his teammate for victory.
Evans closed rapidly and even attempted a move for the lead, but da Costa held firm under pressure. Positioning his car perfectly through the final corners, he defended expertly to secure victory by the narrowest of margins.
Jaguar executes, championship tightens
The result marked back-to-back victories for da Costa, underlining his growing momentum in the championship. Behind the Jaguar duo, Wehrlein secured third, narrowly fending off Ticktum, whose fourth-place finish still represented a major result for CUPRA KIRO.
Further down the order, Edoardo Mortara finished fifth, while Sébastien Buemi climbed to sixth after a late charge. Jake Dennis and Nico Müller followed, with Martí securing ninth place and earning Driver of the Day honours after an electrifying performance in front of his home crowd.
In the standings, Wehrlein retains the championship lead, while da Costa moves into contention. Jaguar, meanwhile, closes the gap to Porsche in both the Teams’ and Manufacturers’ classifications.
A race worthy of the occasion
With packed grandstands and a royal audience, Madrid’s return to the Formula E calendar delivered on every level. Strategy, unpredictability and wheel-to-wheel racing combined to produce an instant classic, one that lived up to the occasion and the setting.
What’s next?
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship now heads to Berlin for Rounds 7 and 8, scheduled for May 2 and 3, as the championship battle continues to intensify.
