2026 Sanya E-Prix: Start time, schedule and how to watch Round 11
Formula E returns to Sanya after seven years
Formula E is back in Sanya for Round 11 of the 2025/26 FIA Formula E World Championship, returning to the Chinese island venue after a seven-year absence. With the championship fight intensifying and only eight drivers on the current grid having raced here before, the 2026 Lianxin Sanya E-Prix carries the kind of uncertainty that can quickly reshape a season.
The weekend marks a significant test for much of the field. Sanya last appeared on the calendar in 2019, and the track has since undergone tweaks compared with the 2018/19 layout. For more background on the championship’s return to the venue, read our preview on Formula E’s Sanya E-Prix schedule as the Asian leg begins.
2026 Lianxin Sanya E-Prix session times
On-track running begins on Friday 19 June, with Free Practice 1 scheduled for 16:30 local time.
Race day follows on Saturday 20 June, starting with a 40-minute Free Practice 2 session at 08:30 local time. Qualifying is set for 10:40, before the 2026 Lianxin Sanya E-Prix gets underway at 15:05 local time for 37 laps.
That compact race-day format places immediate pressure on teams and drivers. With limited recent reference points at the venue, every practice lap will matter before qualifying defines the competitive order.
How to watch and follow the race
Fans can watch, follow or stream the race depending on their country’s broadcast options. The E-Prix will also be available to follow live on web and through the Formula E app, including full race commentary.
Live Timing will provide a real-time interactive track map, session data and the option to follow a selected driver throughout every session. Highlights, session reports, interviews, standings, results, data, insight and trackside reaction will also be available.
What drivers face in Sanya
The Sanya circuit combines fast sections, overtaking opportunities and several hairpins. The revised layout now features a different sequence through the first three corners, all left-handers, before the field reaches the wide Turn 5 hairpin.
From there, drivers head towards Turns 6 and 7, then face a long run to the tight Turn 9 hairpin, with a slight kink before a similar approach to Turn 11. The lap ends with a final 90-degree left-hander leading onto the start-finish straight.
Season so far
The campaign has already produced a wide spread of winners. Jake Dennis opened with victory in Brazil, Nick Cassidy won in Mexico City, Mitch Evans triumphed in Miami, and Pascal Wehrlein took the first Jeddah race. Antonio Felix da Costa then won in Jeddah and Madrid, before Nico Müller and Evans split Berlin. Most recently in Monaco, Nyck de Vries ended Mahindra Racing’s winless streak, while Oliver Rowland delivered another Monaco win.
Simone Scanu
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.