Mahindra Racing’s Edoardo Mortara topped the times in the opening session of the 2026 Lianxin Sanya E-Prix, setting a time of 1m05.616, one tenth ahead of Andretti’s Jake Dennis.
Mortara’s Mahindra teammate, Nyck de Vries was third, followed by Pascal Wehrlein (Porsche) in fourth and Norman Nato (Nissan), who rounded out the top five.
WATCH: How to watch the 2026 Lianxin Sanya E-Prix
The session was not without issues, with many drivers narrowly avoiding incidents as they tested the limits of the Sanya track.
As it happened…
This weekend, Formula E returns to Sanya for the first time in seven years for Round 11 of the 2025/26 season.
Free Practice 1 got underway at 16:30 local time, with many drivers in the field (11 to be exact) taking to the Sanya track for the very first time.
READ: Seven years later: How the grid has changed since Formula E last raced in Sanya
With every second of track time critical, drivers wasted no time in getting out of the pits. Taylor Barnard set the early pace, ahead of championship leader Mitch Evans, who enters the weekend 19 points clear of reigning champion, Oliver Rowland.
A brief yellow flag was waved for CUPRA KIRO’s Pepe Marti, who overshot the corner at Turn 12, and as the session progressed, he wouldn’t be the only one to test the limits. The Nissan of Norman Nato and Jaguar TCS Racing’s Antonio Felix da Costa had almost identical incidents at Turn 9, misjudging their braking points, but escaping without damage.
With just over 15 minutes remaining, Sebastien Buemi stopped on track, bringing out the first Red Flag of the weekend. The Envision machine was quickly recovered, and the session resumed, with the Mahindra duo of Edoardo Mortara and Nyck de Vries leading the times into the closing ten minutes.
Jake Dennis was able to split the pair in the closing moments of the session, but wasn’t able to beat Mortara’s time.
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 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.
Follow the race LIVE on web and in the Formula E app!
Keep across Live Timing – which includes a real-time interactive track map and the ability to follow your favourite driver during every session of every E-Prix – plus highlights, detailed session reports, exclusive interviews, all the standings and results as well as data, insight and reaction from trackside.
LIVE: Follow every lap live, with reaction and coverage at fiaformulae.com/live
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.
Find out more
GEN4: A new era of Formula E is about to begin
WATCH: How to watch every Formula E race in your country
UNMISSABLE: Watch the brand-new season of 'Driver' on Amazon Prime
CALENDAR: Here's every race set for the 2025/26 Formula E season
FOLLOW: Download the Formula E App on iOS or Android
TICKETS: Secure your grandstand seats and buy Formula E race tickets
HIGHLIGHTS: Catch up with every race from Formula E IN FULL
HOSPITALITY: Experience Formula E and world-class motorsport as a VIP