Formula E and the FIAhosted on Sundaythe annual Rookie Test, following the2026 CUPRA Raval Madrid E-Prix, giving 20 elite rookie drivers the opportunity to test the Gen3 Evo Formula E car.
Théophile Naëltopped the time sheets, driving forMahindra Racing.
The two three-hour sessions were part of the Season 12 (2025/26) ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, following the inaugural 2026 CUPRA Raval Madrid E-Prix at Circuito del Jarama – RACE on 22 March. The annual Rookie Test providesgreater opportunities for the next generation of driver talent, giving them the chance todevelop their skills in the same cars as the official drivers.
Théophile Naël (Mahindra Racing) topped the morning session with a time of 1:29.216. He wasclosely followed by his rookie teammate, and Mahindra’s official Reserve Driver Kush Maini, with the team taking aone-two result in the opening session.Behind them wasthe duo of DS Penskes, with Nikita Bedrin the quicker of the two with Daniil Kvyat fourth for the team.
Zak O’Sullivan was fifth for Envision Racing, despite him having a small off at Turn 3 and taking a trip through the gravel, withThéo Pourchaire sixth for Citroën Racing.Reigning DTM Champion Ayhancan Güven was seventh for Porsche Formula E Team,withAbbi Pulling eighth for Nissan Formula E Team.
Richard Verschoor looked quick for Lola Yamaha ABT in ninth, withFreddie Slater (Andretti Formula E) rounding out the top 10.
In the afternoon session,Nikita Bedrin was quickest for DS Penske, with a time of 1:29.250,but it wasn’t enough to beat the benchmark that Naël had set earlier in the day.
Four drivers who had taken part in Formula E and the FIA’s All-Women’s Test at Official Pre-Season Testing, Abbi Pulling (Nissan Formula E Team), Ella Lloyd (Envision Racing), Juju Noda (Jaguar TCS Racing) and Bianca Bustamante (Cupra KIRO) took part in today’s test.The All-Women’s Test is part of Formula E and the FIA’s broader long-term strategy to remove barriers and expand opportunities for women within the all-electric championship.
Théophile Naël, No.48, Mahindra Racing, said:
It was a great day. We completed all of our run plans and found some interesting things for the race team. I’m happy with the way we evolved throughout the day, and the things we found will really help the team going forward. That’s the main job for us and we did that. I’m happy with that and I really enjoyed the day.
Nikita Bedrin, No.7, DS Penske, said:
It was a really positive day here in Madrid, I ended the second session in P1, and P2 overall. We also completed a lot of test items for the team, and we are really happy with what we all achieved. I had strong lap times in both energy saving and push laps. It’s not an easy track to drive, so I think we adapted well.
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will continue with Rounds Six and Seven in Berlin on 2nd and 3rd May 2026 at the Tempelhof Airport circuit.
The following links provide the complete standings for each one of the two rookie test sessions in Madrid and the overall standings. (PDF)
Source: Formula E
Photo Credits: Formula E
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