A look back at the chaotic 2019 Sanya E-Prix
It has been a long seven years since Formula E last tore through the streets of Hainan Island. Looking back at the 2019 Sanya E-Prix, we find a race that was as beautiful as it was brutal. Oliver Rowland claimed his first-ever Julius Baer Pole Position for Nissan e.Dams, but the 2.236 km street circuit quickly showed its teeth.
The race turned into a war of attrition. Early retirements for Sam Bird of Envision Virgin Racing and Stoffel Vandoorne set a tense tone, while the narrow track claimed others, including Alexander Sims. With 12 minutes remaining, a red flag brought the pack to a standstill, setting up a frantic sprint to the finish.
In the end, Jean-Eric Vergne pulled off an incredible move on Rowland at Turn 11 to seize the lead. Despite a chaotic final minute that ended under a full-course yellow following a collision between Robin Frijns and Lucas di Grassi, Vergne held on to take the win for DS Techeetah, with Rowland and Antonio Felix da Costa rounding out the podium.
