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It's been seven years since the FIA ABB Formula E World Championship visited Sanya, with the last race being held in 2019. The event, which only had the one race as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, was located in the Southern end of the country’s Hainan Island. It was a very popular race, both with the locals as well as teams and drivers.
Next weekend, Formula E is making it's long awaited return. Here’s what went down the last time Formula E raced on the island.
As it happened…
Oliver Rowland achieved his first-ever Formula E Julius Baer Pole Position in Sanya, starting the race from the first place grid slot for the Nissan e.Dams squad. Starting from pole, Rowland was quick off the line but had the DS Techeetah of Jean-Eric Vergne chasing him down in second and Antonio Felix da Costa in third, who drove for BMW i Andretti Motorsport at the time.
Within the opening minutes, then-championship leader Sam Bird was forced to retire and brought an abrupt end to his race for Envision Virgin Racing. Shortly after Bird's retirement, Stoffel Vandoorne also retired from the race reporting damage to the car. Both drivers came under investigation shortly after for causing a collision.
HISTORY: Looking back through Formula E's key moments
Rowland, who was keeping his cool out in front, was still leading with 30 minutes left on the clock. Behind him, both GEOX Dragon drivers needed to stop and meant that we had lost four drivers to the challeging 2.236 km Sanya street circuit so far.
With Bird out, his teammate Robin Frijns overtook Lucas di Grassi who was racing with Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler at the time to progress into seventh, as the Season 3 champion failed to correctly take ATTACK MODE twice.
Still waiting for his first win of Season 5, JEV made an unbelievable move on Oliver Rowland for the lead of the race at Turn 11. Rowland, who was in his first full year of Formula E, tried his best to get back past reigning champ Vergne but with no luck.
Further down the pack, Alexander Sims clipped the wall in his BMW which damaged the rear of his GEN2 car and left him unable to get back to the pits. As a result, a red flag was thrown and the clock was stopped with 12 minutes left on it.
When racing resumed, the battle for the win between Vergne and Rowland continued with Antonio Felix da Costa also doing his best late breaking manoeuvres to climb up a podium spot. Jean-Eric Vergne was placed under investigation in the final laps for not respecting the Safety Car procedure when the race had restarted, putting the Frenchman's chances of a much-needed win in jeopardy.
Chaos unfold in the final minute as Lucas di Grassi, running in sixth, was taken out as Frijns hurtled into the Brazilian driver at Turn 8. With di Grassi stuck with terminal damage, the race finished under a full-course yellow.
READ MORE: Every race winner of the 2025/26 Formula E Season (so far)
Vergne took the chequered flag in first, with it quickly confirmed he would only receive a reprimand and keep his win, and was followed by Oliver Rowland in second and da Costa in third.
SCHEDULE: Where, when and how to watch or stream the 2026 Lianxin Sanya E-Prix, Round 11
Formula E is back in action, and the championship fight is on! This weekend, we return to Sanya for Round 11 of the 2025/26 season. It’s been seven years since Formula E has raced on this Chinese island, and with only eight drivers on the current grid having raced here before, anything can happen.
Free Practice 1: Friday 19 June, 16:30 local / 09:30 BST
Free Practice 2: Saturday 20 June, 08:30 local / 01:30 BST
Qualifying: Saturday 20 June, 10:40 local / 03:40 BST
Race: Saturday 20 June, 15:05 local / 08:05 BST
View the full schedule in your time zone and check the broadcaster listings or tap the Ways to Watch button above to find out where to watch all the racing action where you live.
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Additionally, Formula E’s social media channels, website, and app will provide session reports, exclusive interviews, and behind-the-scenes insights from trackside during the five-day event.
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