Formula E: Jeddah Double-Header Preview – Season 12 Rounds 4 & 5

Jeddah Set to Host First Double-Header of Formula E Season 12

The 2025/26 Formula E season heads to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, this week for the first double-header of the campaign, promising a thrilling spectacle under the lights on February 13th and 14th. The championship is tightly contested after three races, with the top five drivers separated by just seven points and the introduction of PIT BOOST adds another layer of strategic complexity.

Unpredictability Defines Season 12 So Far

Three races have yielded three different winners to start Season 12, showcasing the unpredictable nature of Formula E. Jake Dennis of Andretti took victory in São Paulo, Brazil, marking his first win since claiming the Season 9 championship nearly two years prior. Nick Cassidy currently leads the driver standings, having climbed from 13th on the grid to win in Mexico City while driving for Citroën Racing in their single-seater debut. Cassidy even celebrated his win with a new, aerodynamic haircut, fulfilling a pre-race promise.

Most recently, Mitch Evans and Jaguar TCS Racing secured their first points of the season with a win in a wet race at the Miami International Autodrome, a new venue for the series. Evans’ victory also established him as the all-time wins leader in Formula E, with 15 career victories. Reigning champion Oliver Rowland (Nissan) had a strong start to the season with back-to-back podium finishes, but a disappointing qualifying and race result in Miami halted his streak.

PIT BOOST Returns to Jeddah

The Jeddah races will see the return of PIT BOOST, a revolutionary recharging technology designed to shake up race strategy. This mandatory event requires drivers to make a pit stop to receive a 10% energy increase (3.85kWh) during the race, allowing them to push harder with less emphasis on energy management. PIT BOOST will be used in one of the two races during the double-header.

Drivers must initiate the PIT BOOST when their State of Charge (SoC) is between 40% and 60%. Teams are limited to a single PIT BOOST rig, preventing double-stacking and adding to the strategic challenges. Only one ATTACK MODE activation will be available during PIT BOOST races.

Evo Sessions to Feature Celebrities at Jeddah

Following the success of last year’s event, Formula E’s Evo Sessions are returning to Jeddah. The spectacle will feature ten creators competing in a knockout-style tournament using the GEN3 Evo car. The event, streamed live on YouTube on February 15th, will be split into two teams: Senõr Frogs and QuickStars.

Senõr Frogs will be led by Joshua Larkin (TheBurntChip) driving for Jaguar, with William Lenney (WillNe) representing Mahindra Racing, Izzy Hammond for Lola Yamaha ABT, Arthur Frederick (Arthur TV) for Envision Racing, and Ethan Payne (Behzinga) for DS Penske. QuickStars will feature Vikram Singh Barn (Vikkstar), Khaby Lame driving for Nissan, Max Klymenko for Citroën Racing, Stan Bruinick (Browney) for Andretti, and Emelia Hartford returning to the event with Porsche. Juca Viapri will also participate, driving for Cupra Kiro.

Night Racing and Renewable Energy in Jeddah

This weekend marks the first night races of Season 12. Racing under the lights presents unique challenges, including cooler track temperatures which can affect tire performance. While cooler temperatures generally improve battery efficiency, drivers may struggle to get their tires to optimal temperatures, potentially impacting grip.

The Jeddah Corniche Circuit is the second Formula E venue in Saudi Arabia, following previous events in Diriyah. Last year, Oliver Rowland secured impressive results in Jeddah, finishing second and first in the two races. The series is committed to sustainability, utilizing 100% renewable energy generated by B100 biofuel, which can reduce carbon emissions by up to 60% compared to fossil diesel.

Looking Back at Past Jeddah Races

The Jeddah Corniche Circuit has already hosted memorable moments in Formula E history. Edoardo Mortara delivered a stunning overtake in Season 7, passing both Mitch Evans and Pascal Wehrlein in a single maneuver. Nyck de Vries won the series’ first night race in Jeddah in the same season, topping every session and securing a maiden Formula E victory. Maximilian Guenther also claimed a dramatic win in the final corner of the last lap in a previous Jeddah E-Prix. Pascal Wehrlein also secured both wins in the Diriyah double-header in Season 9.

Jeddah E-Prix Schedule

Friday, February 13th:

• Free Practice 2: 13:30 local time (10:30 UTC)
• Qualifying: 15:40 local time (12:40 UTC)
• Race: 20:05 local time (17:05 UTC)

Saturday, February 14th:

• Free Practice 3: 13:30 local time (10:30 UTC)
• Qualifying: 15:40 local time (12:40 UTC)
• Race: 20:05 local time (17:05 UTC)

Fans can follow the action live on the Formula E website and app, with real-time timing, interactive track maps, and exclusive content. The full schedule can be found on the official Formula E website, and broadcast listings are available to determine viewing options in different regions.