The Exciting Return of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship to Valencia

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship returns to Valencia, Spain, for the first time since 2023. This event kicks off five days of official pre-season testing ahead of what promises to be the series’ most ambitious campaign yet. From 27 to 31 October, all ten teams will take part in eight sessions as preparations begin for Season 12 of the world’s premier all-electric racing championship.

A Return That Means More

This year’s test carries special significance. Valencia has been a mainstay of Formula E testing since 2017. However, devastating floods in 2024 forced the series to relocate. The championship has since helped raise more than €50,000 to support local recovery efforts. This gesture is not lost on Formula E Co-Founder and Chief Championship Officer Alberto Longo, who reflected on the return to Spanish soil.

“We’re delighted to be back in Valencia for Season 12 pre-season testing,” said Longo. “Spain is my home country, and I was especially heartbroken by the devastation that hit Valencia last year. I’m incredibly proud that Formula E supported vital work in restoring mobility to those in need, and we continue to support the region’s recovery efforts.”

Longo added that the test marks the first of two Spanish rounds on the calendar this season. Formula E will head to Madrid for the first time in 2026, a landmark moment for both the championship and Spanish motorsport fans.

What’s New for Season 12

Following the FIA World Motorsport Council meeting in October, Formula E has introduced several key updates to its sporting regulations and race format.

Enhanced Qualifying Format

The Qualifying format has been refined. It now features shorter 10-minute group stages and revised duel timings. These changes are designed to make sessions faster and more competitive.

Updates to ATTACK MODE

Meanwhile, ATTACK MODE, a staple of Formula E’s strategy-based racing, has been updated. This update maintains unpredictability and introduces flexibility for races with or without PIT BOOST activations.

Financial Regulations

A notable change to the championship’s financial regulations ensures maternity and paternity pay are now excluded from the cost cap. This change strengthens Formula E’s commitment to inclusivity and fairness across teams.

Rookie Opportunities

On the sporting side, the Rookie Free Practice will debut at the 2026 Miami E-Prix. Additionally, the Rookie Collective Test will take place following the 2026 Madrid E-Prix. This initiative gives rising talents a chance to gain experience in Formula E machinery.

Expansion of the Championship

Season 12 also welcomes Citroën Racing to the grid and expands to 17 races across 11 venues. This marks the championship’s largest calendar to date. The series will return to Sanya for the first time since Season 5, joining Shanghai as part of Formula E’s growing presence in China.

The Return of Formula E’s Women’s Test

After a successful debut in 2024, the Formula E Women’s Test returns in Valencia. This year, it features double the track time and participation from all ten teams. The initiative underscores Formula E and the FIA’s long-term commitment to diversity and equality within motorsport. It provides a platform for elite women drivers to showcase their talent in current GEN3 Evo cars.

Each team is required to field at least one woman driver, with the option to enter two. This year’s line-up includes some of the most exciting names in global motorsport, such as Jamie Chadwick, Abbi Pulling, Tatiana Calderón, and Bianca Bustamante.

The 2024 edition proved successful, with five drivers securing team roles afterward. Three of these drivers remain with Formula E teams full-time.

Driver Market Shake-Up

There is no shortage of off-season intrigue ahead of Season 12. The newly formed Citroën Racing has joined the championship, signing Nick Cassidy and Jean-Éric Vergne. Meanwhile, Taylor Barnard steps into Vergne’s former seat at DS PENSKE.

Felipe Drugovich joins Jake Dennis at Andretti Formula E, while Antonio Félix da Costa switches to Jaguar TCS Racing, partnering Mitch Evans. Elsewhere, Norman Nato returns to Nissan Formula E alongside reigning champion Oliver Rowland. Additionally, Josep Maria Martí makes his Formula E debut with CUPRA Kiro, joining Dan Ticktum.

Season 12 Calendar Highlights

Season 12 will officially begin in São Paulo on 6 December 2025. It will then head to Mexico City on 10 January. Formula E will return to Miami at the Hard Rock Stadium circuit and make its long-awaited debut in Madrid on 21 March 2026.

From there, the championship continues across Europe with double-headers in Berlin and Monaco. It will then head to Sanya, Shanghai, and Tokyo for an exciting Asian leg. The season concludes in London on 15 and 16 August 2026, the city that has hosted every Formula E finale since Season 9.

Insights and Inclusion

As the world’s most sustainable motorsport championship gears up for its biggest season yet, the mix of new venues, driver movements, and progressive policy updates highlights Formula E’s continued evolution.

The return to Valencia not only signals the start of a new chapter but reinforces the series’ commitment to inclusivity, innovation, and global growth. These values remain at the heart of the all-electric championship.

Follow the Action: Fans can keep up to date with all the developments from the Season 12 Pre-Season Test via Formula E’s official channels and app. This will provide live timing, session reports, and exclusive behind-the-scenes coverage from Valencia.

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