Several Formula E drivers experienced the Sanya E-Prix for the first time as the championship returned to the venue after a seven-year absence. Amid scorching temperatures, Mahindra Racing's Edoardo Mortara topped the opening free practice session (FP1) in Sanya on Friday, with Andretti driver Jake Dennis finishing a close second. While the summer heat has already pushed drivers to their limits, it remains to be seen how they will cope in Saturday's Round 11 race.
Sanya E-Prix FP1 Results
Mahindra Racing shone at the Sanya Street Circuit on Friday as Edoardo Mortara topped the opening free practice session. His teammate Nyck de Vries, fresh from his victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, finished third. Andretti's Jake Dennis was sandwiched between the two Mahindra drivers in second place. Taking to Instagram after FP1, Dennis wrote: "New helmet design for the next 2 rounds! Strong start to the weekend with a P2 in FP1! We go again tomorrow."
Porsche driver Pascal Wehrlein finished fourth, followed by Nissan's Norman Nato in fifth. Taylor Barnard of DS Penske was sixth. Jaguar TCS Racing drivers Mitch Evans and Antonio Felix da Costa finished seventh and eighth, respectively. Porsche's Nico Muller claimed ninth, while reigning world champion Oliver Rowland of Nissan completed the top 10. Rowland secured a podium finish in Sanya when the venue last hosted a Formula E race in 2019.
Jean-Eric Vergne, who is now part of Citroen Racing, finished 15th. Vergne remains the only winner of the Sanya E-Prix after claiming victory at the inaugural race in 2019 before the event was discontinued due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
What's Next at the Sanya E-Prix?
The second free practice session is scheduled for Saturday morning, followed by qualifying at 10:40 am local time. The race is set to begin at 3:05 pm local time (12:35 pm IST). Several drivers have already expressed concerns about racing in the intense summer heat. Air temperatures are expected to remain around 32°C, although track temperatures will be significantly higher. Drivers were seen carrying umbrellas during the track walk, with many commenting on the oppressive heat. While the likelihood of rain is low, conditions are expected to remain cloudy and humid during the race.
