Formula E Returns to Brazil for Season 12 Opener: Everything You Need to Know

Formula E kicks off its 2025/26 campaign in spectacular fashion, returning to São Paulo for the Season 12 opener at the iconic Anhembi Sambadrome. With new driver lineups, format adjustments, and the final year of the GEN3 Evo era, the championship begins with major storylines on and off the track.

Brazil Welcomes Formula E Back

Brazilian motorsport heritage runs deep, producing legends such as Ayrton Senna, Emerson Fittipaldi, and Nelson Piquet. That tradition continues in Formula E with homegrown talents such as Felipe Drugovich, who joins Andretti for his rookie season, and Lucas di Grassi, returning with Lola Yamaha ABT.

Drugovich will race in front of a home crowd for the first time in his professional career, his family has even bought out an entire grandstand for the occasion.

Di Grassi, the Season 3 champion, enters his 148th start with 13 wins, 41 podiums and four poles to his name.

Pre-Season Testing Recap

Valencia once again hosted pre-season testing, just a year after devastating floods impacted the region. Six three-hour sessions gave the grid plenty of mileage, alongside an expanded Women’s Test, which doubled its track time compared to last season.

Mahindra Racing emerged as a standout, topping both the main test and the Women’s Test.
Edoardo Mortara led the timing sheets, with reigning World Champion Oliver Rowland (Nissan) second.
Rookie Taylor Barnard impressed for DS PENSKE, while Norman Nato and Nyck de Vries rounded out the top five.

Mahindra also confirmed its commitment to the GEN4 era ahead of the season opener.

Driver Market Shake-Up

Only three teams, Nissan, Mahindra, and Lola Yamaha ABT, retain the same lineup from last season. Everywhere else, it’s been musical chairs:

• Antonio Félix da Costa moves to Jaguar TCS Racing, joining Mitch Evans.
• Nico Müller replaces da Costa at Porsche alongside Pascal Wehrlein.
• Taylor Barnard steps into DS PENSKE with Maximilian Günther.
• Nick Cassidy and Jean-Éric Vergne spearhead Citroën Racing’s debut in single-seaters.
• Joel Eriksson returns to Envision alongside Sebastien Buemi.
• Pepe Martí makes the jump to Formula E with CUPRA KIRO, joining Dan Ticktum.
• Felipe Drugovich begins his first full season with Andretti, partnering Jake Dennis.

A Circuit Built for Drama

The São Paulo street circuit has delivered unforgettable races across its three events so far. Highlights include:

• Mitch Evans’ win in the inaugural E-Prix for Jaguar, with teammate Sam Bird taking third.
• Bird’s iconic final-corner overtake to earn NEOM McLaren its first Formula E victory.
• Evans’ historic last-to-first charge in 2024/25, climbing from 22nd on the grid to the top step.

Jaguar powertrains have enjoyed particular success here, securing podiums at every São Paulo race to date.

Meanwhile, Pascal Wehrlein has taken pole in the last two visits, can he make it three and finally convert it into a win?

Season 12: The Final Year of GEN3 Evo

Season 12 marks the farewell tour for the GEN3 Evo, the fastest-accelerating electric single-seater ever built (0–60 mph in just 1.8 seconds). Its strengthened bodywork, improved aerodynamics, and AWD capabilities have defined a transformative era.

But all eyes are already on what comes next.

Introducing the GEN4: A New Era Begins

Set to debut in 2026/27, the GEN4 car pushes performance to unprecedented levels:

• 600 kW total power (over 815 hp)
• Active all-wheel drive in all race phases
• Two aero packages: high-downforce (qualifying) and low-downforce (race)
• 450 kW peak race power
• 600 kW ATTACK MODE
• 700 kW regenerative braking
• Up to 55 kWh usable race energy
• 100% recyclable construction with minimum 20% recycled materials

The GEN4 will further cement Formula E as the world’s benchmark in sustainable motorsport.

How to Watch

The Google Cloud São Paulo E-Prix (Round 1) begins with Free Practice on Friday, 5 December, before race day on Saturday, 6 December.

With a grid packed with talent, a fan-favourite venue, and the final chapter of the GEN3 Evo era, Season 12 promises to start with one of the most exciting races of the year.

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Written by

James Rees

A passionate motorsport journalist from Wales, with over 30 years of love for the sport. A dedicated father of three, working as a content manager, covering the fast-paced world of Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3, Formula E, and IndyCar.

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