Da Costa leads Jaguar one-two in thriller at Madrid E-Prix as title fight tightens
António Félix da Costa delivered a masterclass in strategy and racecraft to lead a stunning one-two for Jaguar TCS Racing at the 2026 Madrid E-Prix, edging out team-mate Mitch Evans in one of the closest finishes of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship season so far.
In a breathless sprint to the flag at Circuito de Madrid Jarama, just under a second covered the top four, with Pascal Wehrlein salvaging third for Porsche ahead of an inspired drive from Dan Ticktum.
The inaugural Madrid E-Prix delivered a classic Formula E strategic contest, with PIT BOOST and ATTACK MODE execution once again proving decisive.
Starting third, da Costa was the first of the frontrunners to commit to his PIT BOOST stop on Lap 12, a move that would ultimately underpin his victory. By combining that early stop with a late ATTACK MODE deployment, the Portuguese driver positioned himself perfectly as the race evolved into a flat-out dash to the finish.
As strategies converged, the Jaguar driver found himself at the head of a tightly packed lead group, but with pressure mounting from all directions.
Behind him, Evans had taken a different route through the race. Managing energy meticulously and extending his stint, the New Zealander emerged as a late-race contender, slicing through the pack with a decisive move on Ticktum before setting his sights firmly on his team-mate.
For a brief moment, it appeared Evans might complete the overtake for victory. But da Costa, placing his Jaguar I-TYPE 7 with precision, defended expertly to hold track position and secure back-to-back wins.
“Back-to-back wins and a one-two for the team, that doesn’t happen often,” said da Costa. “Everything came together today. The strategy, the car, the execution, it’s a dream result.”
Evans, while narrowly missing out on victory, underlined the team’s strength. “I felt like I could have won, but António drove a mega race,” he said. “A one-two is exactly what the team wanted, and we delivered.”
Wehrlein’s third-place finish ensures the Porsche Formula E Team driver retains the lead in the drivers’ standings, now 11 points clear of Edoardo Mortara. However, Jaguar’s dominant performance in Madrid significantly tightens the team and manufacturer title races.
Jaguar TCS Racing now sits just four points behind Porsche in the Teams’ Championship and three points adrift in the Manufacturers’ standings, a clear signal that momentum is swinging.
Behind the leading quartet, Mortara added further points in fifth for Mahindra, while Sébastien Buemi charged to sixth. Jake Dennis and Nico Müller followed, with Pepe Martí delighting home fans by securing points in ninth after briefly leading the race.
The return of Formula E to Madrid drew a sell-out crowd and a high-profile guest list. His Majesty Felipe VI attended the race, alongside Sir Idris Elba, football icons Roberto Carlos and Thibaut Courtois, and Formula 1 legend Rubens Barrichello.
Off track, the championship continues to evolve. Opel confirmed it will join Formula E from Season 13, aligning its entry with the GEN4 era, a further signal of the series’ growing manufacturer appeal.
For Jaguar TCS Racing, Madrid represents more than just another win. It confirms the team’s status as a genuine title contender, combining strategic clarity with outright pace at a critical point in the season.
With Berlin’s Tempelhof Airport circuit hosting the next double-header, the question is no longer whether Jaguar can challenge — but whether anyone can halt its surge.
