Formula E's return to Sanya also gave Jake Dennis an eagerly anticipated return to the top spot of the grid, ahead of Andretti teammate Felipe Drugovich. The pair fended off fierce competition from Formula E championship leader Mitch Evans and Monaco double polesitter Dan Ticktum to give the Andretti squad its first-ever front row lockout.
Final
In the fight for pole between the Andretti teammates, Dennis came out on top with a time of 1m05.502, over one second ahead of Drugovich. The Brazilian driver went deep at Turn 4, giving his teammate a considerable advantage that couldn’t be overturned.
Semi Finals
In the first Semi Final meeting between Drugovich and Evans, it was the Andretti driver who progressed with a time of 1m05.607.
Meanwhile, in a dramatic battle of the Brits between Dennis and Ticktum for the second spot in the Final, it all came down to a familiar error for Ticktum in the CUPRA KIRO, who misjudged his braking at Turn 9. This gave Dennis an easy pass into the Final stage of qualifying for the 2026 Lianxin Sanya E-Prix, and guaranteed pole position for the Andretti team.
Quarter Finals
First up was championship leader Mitch Evans versus Taylor Barnard, the pair going head-to-head for the first time this season. By the narrowest of margins (0.001 to be exact) the duel went in favour of Evans, who progressed to the Semis.
Nick Cassidy and Felipe Drugovich were up next, with Drugovich entering the weekend with a newfound confidence, following his maiden Formula E podium in Monaco. After a very quick first sector, the Brazilian driver maintained his advantage and sailed through to the Semis by 0.392.
In the battle of Dan Ticktum versus Nyck de Vries, it was Ticktum who went through as the Brit sought to become only the 3rd driver ever to take 3 consecutive Formula E poles.
The final Quarter-Final saw Jake Dennis and Pascal Wehrlein go head-to-head. Dennis drew out a comfortable advantage in the opening sectors, but made a small mistake at the end of the lap, making brief contact with the wall. However, his final lap time of 1m05.621 was still enough, and the Brit advanced to the Semis.
Group A
Felipe Drugovich came out on top in Group A, with a time of 1m07.337, 0.122 ahead of Taylor Barnard, who found pace in his DS PENSKE machine.
Championship leader Mitch Evans also made it through to the Duels stages, joined by Citroen Racing’s Nick Cassidy, who secured the final spot in Group A.
Mahindra Racing’s Edoardo Mortara missed out, finishing the session in sixth - a surprise, considering the significant pace shown by the championship contender in both Sanya practice sessions. Fellow Swiss driver Nico Muller (Porsche) also failed to make it through, only managing eighth in the group. This is the worst qualifying performance of the season for the Porsche driver.
Group B
In Group B, it was a happier result for the Porsche team with three Porsche-powered cars advancing and Pascal Wehrlein finishing at the top with a 1m07.496, ahead of Nyck de Vries (Mahindra) who was less than a tenth behind. Dan Ticktum (CUPRA KIRO) and Jake Dennis (Andretti) completed those advancing to the Duels.
As the checkered flag fell, Zane Maloney (Lola Yamaha ABT) brought out the yellow flags, after making contact with the wall at Turn 4.
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.
Race: Saturday 20 June, 15:05 local / 08:05 BST
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