Valencia pre-season testing preview
Time to put our 2023/24 challenger to the test in Spain
It hasn't felt long since we wrapped up Season 9, but this week NEOM McLaren Formula E Team will be heading out to Valencia, Spain for Official Pre-Season Testing of Season 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
We'll take you through everything you need to know before we hit the track, hear how the team are feeling, and what's new for Season 10!
Key info
| Where | Valencia, Spain |
| When | 23 – 27 October 2023 |
| Lap Distance | 3.097km |
The team will be testing at Valencia's Circuit Ricardo Tormo
Session
times
Session 1
9:00 – 12:00 local / 08:00 – 11:00 BST
Session 2
14:00 – 17:00 local / 13:00 – 16:00 BST
Session 3
10:00 – 12:00 local / 9:00 – 11:00 BST
Session 4
14:00 – 17:00 local / 13:00 – 16:00 BST
Session 5
9:00 – 12:00 local / 8:00 – 11:00 BST
Session 6
14:00 – 17:00 local / 13:00 – 16:00 BST
Ian James
Managing Director and Team Principal
"It is great to kick-off Season 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship this week, as we head to Valencia for the official Pre-Season Testing. This is the precursor to the start of racing at the beginning of 2024, when we will embark on our second season in the series as the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team. As a team, we can’t wait to get back on track.
"Season 9 brought many ups and downs, but some highlights showed that we had a solid foundation; in our very first race Jake qualified P3 and we secured a podium finish and two pole positions throughout the season.
"As we look towards Season 10, we are pleased to continue racing with Jake and welcome Sam to the team. We are confident that our new line-up, combined with the continued support of the wider team, will give us the tools we need to get back to where we want to be on the grid.
"I am also delighted that we can give Taylor his first taste of electric racing this week. He is an exciting up-and-coming talent and I am looking forward to seeing how he gets on as our rookie driver for the test.
Jake Hughes
NEOM McLAREN Formula E Driver
“I’m super excited to get back in the car for Valencia testing – it feels like it’s been too long since London. We had a shakedown with both cars at our home in Bicester Heritage a few weeks ago and it was great to have some time behind the wheel again. It’ll be great to see everyone again and get back to work and see if we can improve on from Season 9 – and I’m looking forward to working with Sam. Bring it on!”
Sam Bird
NEOM McLAREN Formula E Driver
"Heading into Valencia, I’m very excited to get start with the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team. I believe we’ve prepared well and that we are in a good place going into this test. I have already learnt a lot and I know the team have learnt a lot during the off-season too.
"We come here with optimism and excitement, and a with a belief that Season 10 will be more successful for the team. I’m looking forward to working with Jake too, and I can’t wait to get going."
Taylor Barnard
Rookie Driver
“I’m really excited to get my first taste of Formula E with the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team in Valencia next week. I can’t wait to get behind the wheel and complete my first laps in Gen3 machinery. I’m beyond thankful to everyone at the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team for this opportunity. I can’t wait to get started with the team and do everyone proud.”
What’s new for Season 10?
During the 2023/24 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship season, the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team will embark in its second season in the series.
The team will face new challenges, including racing in the iconic cities of Tokyo and Shanghai for the first time, as well as the return to staples of the Formula E calendar such as Mexico City, Monaco, Berlin, among others.
The 2023/24 Calendar
| Event | Round(s) | Location | Date(s) |
| 1 | 1 | Mexico City, Mexico | 13 Jan |
| 2 | 2 & 3 | Diriyah, Saudi Arabia | 26 & 27 Jan |
| 3 | 4 | Hyderabad, India | 10 Feb |
| 4 | 5 | São Paulo, Brazil | 16 Mar |
| 5 | 6 | Tokyo, Japan | 30 Mar |
| 6 | 7 & 8 | Italy TBD | 13 & 14 Apr |
| 7 | 9 | Monaco, Principality of Monaco | 27 Apr |
| 8 | 10 & 11 | Berlin, Germany | 11 & 12 May |
| 9 | 12 & 13 | Shanghai, China | 25 & 26 May |
| 10 | 14 | Portland, United States | 29 Jun |
| 11 | 15 & 16 | London, United Kingdom | 20 & 21 Jul |
Look the part NMFE Teamwear
Driver line-up
Ahead of Season 10, the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team announced its new driver line-up. After an impressive first season in Formula E, Jake Hughes will remain with the team for the 2023/24 season.
In his first race in Formula E, the 2023 Mexico City E-Prix, Jake qualified P3, finishing the race in P5. He then secured the team’s first pole position at only his third race in Diriyah, before clinching a second pole position at the 2023 Monaco E-Prix. He finished the 2022/23 season in P12.
The team also announced Sam Bird will complete the driver line-up for Season 10. Sam has competed in Formula E since Season 1, being one of the only drivers on the grid to do so – as well as being one of the most successful drivers on the grid, claiming 11 wins, 26 podium places and 6 Pole Positions over the course of those nine seasons.
The 2023/24 season livery of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship
Livery
Last week, the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team unveiled its livery for the 2023/24 season of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
The design is centred around the unique NEOM McLaren Electric Racing signature linework, while still being recognisably part of the McLaren Racing family. Take a look at the livery here.
Don’t miss out on any of the action and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
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