Ticktum Tops Madrid E-Prix Practice: Qualifying & Race Schedule

Dan Ticktum of CUPRA KIRO set the pace in the first Free Practice session for the 2026 CUPRA Raval Madrid E-Prix, marking a strong start to Formula E’s inaugural race weekend in the Spanish capital. The British driver clocked a time of 1m29.403s at the Circuito del Jarama, besting Nyck de Vries by two-tenths of a second.

The session wasn’t without incident. De Vries, driving for Mahindra Racing, caused an early red flag after a crash at the chicane, damaging his front wing and steering. Remarkably, he managed to return to the pits and rejoin the session, ultimately securing second place. Maximilian Guenther of DS PENKSE finished third, with Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein and DS PENKSE’s Taylor Barnard rounding out the top five.

This Madrid E-Prix represents a significant expansion for Formula E, adding another European city to its roster of street circuit races. The series, which began in Beijing in 2014 and achieved FIA World Championship status in 2020, consistently seeks to bring electric motorsport to the heart of major urban centers. The choice of the Jarama circuit, a traditional motorsport venue, offers a different challenge compared to the typically tight and twisty street circuits that define much of the Formula E calendar.

The practice session highlighted the importance of energy management and precision around the technical Jarama circuit. Limited track time meant teams had to maximize every minute to fine-tune their setups. Several drivers were looking to rebound from challenging previous rounds, while others aimed to maintain their momentum as the championship battle intensifies. The close competition, as evidenced by the tightly packed timesheet, suggests a thrilling race weekend ahead.

The session also saw a near miss for Edoardo Mortara, De Vries’ teammate, who narrowly avoided a similar crash to the one that sidelined him earlier. Mortara locked up ahead of the final sequence of turns but managed to regain control, a close call that will likely be a focus for the team ahead of Saturday’s race.

Ticktum’s quick lap came despite a brief excursion through the gravel with just seven minutes remaining. This demonstrates both his skill and the robustness of the CUPRA KIRO car. The team is particularly motivated this weekend, with Spanish driver Pepe Martí competing in front of his home crowd and the cars sporting a special CUPRA livery.

Schedule for the 2026 CUPRA Raval Madrid E-Prix

The action continues on Saturday, March 21st, with a second Free Practice session at 08:30 local time (07:30 UTC). Qualifying will follow at 10:40 local time (09:40 UTC), setting the grid for the inaugural Madrid E-Prix, which is scheduled to begin at 15:05 local time (14:05 UTC).

Fans can follow the race live on the Formula E website and app, with comprehensive coverage including live timing, session reports, exclusive interviews, and standings. The race will also be broadcast live and free-to-air on ITVX in the UK and Ireland.

The Madrid E-Prix marks Round 6 of the 2025/26 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. With the championship standings continuing to take shape, this race is poised to be a crucial moment in the season. The performance of drivers like Ticktum, De Vries, and Guenther will be closely watched as they aim to establish themselves as frontrunners in the title race.