• Formula E Season 12 heads to Madrid with Round 6 at Circuito del Jarama on 21 March
• Jarama’s 3.934 km layout becomes Formula E’s longest circuit, featuring PIT BOOST, revised ATTACK MODE, and a 23-lap race
• Hankook’s iON Race engineered for consistent grip and thermal stability on Jarama’s fast permanent circuit

(SeaPRwire) –   MADRID, March 20, 2026 — Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd. (referred to as Hankook) is gearing up for Round 6 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship Season 12 as the championship arrives in Madrid for the first time. The 2026 CUPRA Raval Madrid E-Prix is scheduled for 21 March at the Circuito del Jarama, a venue steeped in Spanish racing history.

Situated north of the Spanish capital, Jarama is a permanent track with a legacy of hosting major international series. Formula E drivers first sampled the circuit in Season 11 pre-season testing, and it now makes its debut as an official race location this season. At 3.934 km with 14 corners, it sets a new record as the longest track in Formula E history—roughly 400 meters longer than any prior circuit. Its design mixes high-speed corners with brief straights, creating constant pressure on energy management and regenerative braking systems, while also challenging the grip and heat resilience of the Hankook iON Race tire.

The Madrid E-Prix will add a new layer of strategy for competitors. The event will include PIT BOOST, a compulsory pit stop that provides drivers a 10% battery energy boost in about 30 seconds, marking its debut in a single-race weekend since being introduced in Season 11. ATTACK MODE will also be accessible for a single six-minute period. Combined with the longer 23-lap race distance, these factors will increase the focus on maintaining tire performance and executing energy strategy from start to finish.

For Hankook, the Jarama race poses a unique technical test. While teams collected preliminary data during Season 11 testing, actual race conditions in March could vary greatly in ambient temperature and track surface grip. The circuit’s quick changes of direction and prolonged cornering forces exert ongoing pressure on the tires, making predictable warm-up, managed heat build-up, and reliable traction essential for both fast qualifying laps and efficient race pace.

“Madrid is precisely the type of test that evaluates all facets of a tire’s capabilities,” stated Manfred Sandbichler, Senior Director of Hankook Motorsport. “Jarama’s blend of high-speed corners and few long straights, along with the new Pit Boost feature, produces a distinctive racing scenario. With teams operating from a restricted pool of data, the iON Race tire is engineered to provide reliable grip and consistent thermal management over a broad range of conditions, enabling tight and competitive racing.”

The weekend schedule starts with Free Practice 1 on Friday, 20 March, leading into the main race on Saturday, 21 March. A Formula E Rookie Test will be held on Sunday, 22 March, offering aspiring drivers important experience on the Jarama track.

SOURCE Hankook Tire & Technology