With paddock reporting from Sergio Álvarez, images courtesy of Ester Caballero
For the better part of a decade, the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia was Formula E’s reliable, predictable autumn home. It was the place where teams unpacked their crates, shook off the off-season rust, and gathered data on a flat, sweeping track that, while efficient, always felt a bit sterile for electric racing.
But as Formula E prepares to take its biggest technical leap yet, predictability is out the window. The championship has officially confirmed that the highly anticipated GEN4 era will make its public track debut at the iconic Circuito de Madrid Jarama from November 16–20, 2026.
The move signifies a permanent shift in how the championship evaluates its machinery. While Jarama first stepped in as a short-notice replacement for a flood-damaged Valencia, it quickly proved that its historic, undulating curves are exactly what the next generation of electric motorsport needs.
The GEN4 Leap: Too Fast for the Old Testing Grounds
To understand why Jarama is replacing Valencia, you have to look at the sheer violence of the GEN4 performance figures. This isn’t just an upgrade; it’s a total redefinition of electric single-seater racing.
- Mind-Bending Speed: Top speeds will exceed 335 km/h (over 208 mph).
- Rocket Acceleration: Rockets from 0 to 200 km/h in an astonishing 4.4 seconds.
- Brute Power: Pumping out 600 kW (815bhp) of power in Attack Mode featuring permanent all-wheel drive.
Formula E’s ambition is no longer just to be the smartest series on the planet—it’s aiming to rival or exceed the raw pace of Formula 2. Because of this, Valencia’s wide-open, motorcycle-friendly layout doesn’t challenge the cars in the right ways anymore. GEN4 requires a track that tests mechanical grip, rapid changes of elevation, and tight, intense cornering.
Why Jarama Fits the Narrative
Jarama is an old-school driver’s circuit with narrow sections, cambered turns, and a dramatic uphill climb that will force the new all-wheel-drive systems to work overtime.
Because Formula E thrives on tight street circuits and high-braking zones to regenerate energy, Jarama’s technical layout mimics actual street-race conditions far better than Valencia ever could. Watching a 600 kW electric rocket navigate Jarama’s tight, twisting sectors will give teams an immediate, raw understanding of how the car handles real-world racing stress.
In the Cockpit: Juju Noda on the Heavy-Metal GEN4
For perspective on what this means for the drivers, our own Sergio Álvarez caught up with rising star Juju Noda, Jaguar TCS Racing, to get an exclusive take on the transition to the GEN4 machinery and the challenges of the Madrid circuit.
“Both tracks are very different,” Noda told Sergio when asked about Jarama vs Valencia. “I think this circuit is a bit tougher on tires, the tire degradation is quite bad compared to Valencia. There’s some camber (in Jarama) and uphill sections. Also, there’s some blind corners so it’s a bit difficult. I did some simulator, but when you’re driving in real life it’s a bit different.”
When asked about the venue shift and tires, Noda was emphatic about Jarama’s unique character.
“I think the tire degradation has more to do with the track. I think it’s because of the track (characteristics).”
As the paddock prepares to descend on Madrid this November, one thing is certain: the quiet, clinical days of pre-season testing are over. Formula E is stepping into a loud, high-performance future, and Jarama is the perfect place to let the new beast off its leash.
iberianmph.com 