Formula E: Citroën Racing counts on Théo Pourchaire and Joshua Dürksen for Madrid Rookie Test

The Formula E season is gaining momentum and is about to reach a symbolic milestone with its return to European soil for the very first time this year. For this comeback on the Old Continent, the 100% electric championship is heading to Spain, in the heart of the capital, for an event that promises to be spectacular. Beyond the pure competition, this new Madrid E-Prix will host a strategic event for the future of the discipline: a new Rookie Test. On this occasion, the Citroën Racing team has decided to involve two promising young talents, confirming its commitment to identifying future champions of electric mobility.

Théo Pourchaire and Joshua Dürksen: a talented duo serving Citroën

For this Madrid meeting on the historic Circuito del Jarama, Citroën Racing has chosen a mix of continuity and novelty. The first name on the list is well known to French motorsport observers: Théo Pourchaire. After a highly successful first experience during the Miami Rookie Test last February, the young Frenchman returns to the cockpit of the Citroën single-seater. A former Formula 2 champion, Pourchaire impressed the technical staff in Florida with his immediate adaptation to the GEN3 Evo. His raw speed, and more importantly, the precision of his technical feedback, convinced the team to renew their trust in him to deepen the work started in the United States.

Alongside him, the Citroën team welcomes a new face, Joshua Dürksen. The Paraguayan driver, who has stood out with solid performances in junior single-seater categories, is about to take his first steps in the complex world of electric racing. This duo represents an interesting balance for the brand: on one side, the expertise already acquired by Pourchaire on energy recovery systems, and on the other, Dürksen’s freshness and eagerness to learn. These two drivers possess complementary strengths that will allow Citroën to collect a wealth of valuable data while evaluating their potential to eventually join the top tier of world motorsport.

The strategic importance of Rookie Tests for technical development

The Rookie Test concept in Formula E is not limited to a simple talent scouting session. It is a crucial opportunity for manufacturers to continue the technical development of the car outside of official race weekends. These sessions allow for testing new software configurations, refining energy management, and understanding tire behavior on specific tracks without the pressure of immediate results. For Citroën Racing, the Madrid test is doubly important. Firstly, it takes place in a strategic market for the brand, as Spain is one of Citroën’s commercial pillars in Europe. Secondly, it allows the team to identify drivers capable of mastering the technical complexity of the GEN3 Evo.

Cyril Blais, Team Principal of Citroën Racing Formula E Team, emphasizes the importance of this choice: "We are very happy to welcome Théo back to the team after the excellent work he did during the Free Practice session in Miami earlier this season. He quickly integrated with the engineers, provided very clear technical feedback, and demonstrated very good pace. Bringing him back to continue this collaboration was therefore a very natural decision for us, especially in the context of the changes in the global motorsport calendar. We are also delighted to work with Joshua for the first time. He is a driver we follow closely, and this type of Rookie Test is precisely designed to offer young talents the opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities in the Formula E environment. This will be a valuable experience for both Joshua and the team as we continue our development program around the GEN3 Evo."

For his part, Théo Pourchaire approaches this deadline with clear determination, aware of the specificities of the discipline. He explains that driving the GEN3 Evo allowed him to understand how much Formula E differs from other single-seater championships. His goal in Madrid will be to continue the momentum launched in Miami, to assist the engineers in the development program, and to further improve his understanding of the car and energy management.

For Joshua Dürksen, this test is a true gateway into a new world. He acknowledges that Formula E is a different technical challenge, particularly due to the management of onboard systems. He wishes to learn as much as possible about how a team of this level functions and thanks Citroën for the trust placed in him.

A key event for Citroën in Spain

Next weekend, Madrid will be the center of gravity for electric motorsport with the first E-Prix of the season in Europe. This event is a major showcase for Citroën, which intends to actively participate in the festivities both on and off the track. By placing its trust in Théo Pourchaire and Joshua Dürksen during this Rookie Test on March 22nd, the brand demonstrates its willingness to prepare for the future while strengthening its ties with the Spanish public. This return of Citroën single-seaters to the Madrid asphalt marks an important step in a season full of challenges, where technological innovation and the training of young talents remain the team’s top priorities.