Paddock-Whispers: News ticker on all the important Formula E paddock topics in Sanya

After seven years, Formula E is returning to the street circuit in Sanya. Find out what else is going on in the paddock at the Chinese venue in the latest instalment of our series "Paddock Whispers". We’ll be updating this article regularly throughout the weekend.

>>> FIA sets out evacuation procedure for thunderstorm risk

[06/19 | 12:15 am] The FIA has established a specific procedure for the Sanya E-Prix in the event of a paddock evacuation. If an evacuation is ordered during a session, race control will display the red flag. All cars must then return to the pit lane and directly into their garages. There, they must remain on their wheels, with the safety rope and supply cables connected. Subsequently, all team personnel must leave the paddock.

Parc ferme conditions apply during qualifying and races. If a race is interrupted, no repairs are permitted initially. Only once the danger - such as a thunderstorm - has passed and race control has announced a suitable time may the teams resume work on the cars. Cars on which repairs have been carried out are subsequently re-sorted to the back of the field in accordance with the Sporting Regulations.

>>> Jake Hughes in Sanya

[06/19 | 10.47 am] Former McLaren and Maserati driver, and current Mahindra reserve driver, Jake Hughes is at the circuit in Sanya. The Briton is standing in for the other Mahindra reserve driver, Kush Maini, this weekend. During the first free practice session, Hughes expressed his delight at returning after a long break:

"Enjoying being back. It feels like I'm back home, so to speak, in the Fe paddock. First race with Mahindra as well in reality, so yeah, enjoying it."

"I've been on the sim a lot this year", Hughes continued. "Obviously, developing Gen4 in the background as well. Looking forward to getting into the car as well as much as possible in the next few weeks and months. Race prep on the simulator for each event as well."

>>> Nissan and Citroen with different logos in Sanya

[06/19 | 10.30 am] Anyone looking at the Nissan and Citroen cars in Sanya will notice a small change: the manufacturers’ logos look different from how they did most recently in Monaco. Citroen, which changed its logo in 2022, is using the old logo in Sanya. Nissan’s cars, on the other hand, are adorned with Chinese characters during race weekends in China.

The reason: both brands use different logos on the Chinese market.

Citroën Racing will be using the old logo this weekend due to IP issues.

The manufacturer operates under the joint venture brand Dongfeng Citroën in China (similar to Nissan, as I mentioned earlier), which is still using the old logo in the market. pic.twitter.com/tyhJeIlXFk

— Lynn⚡ (@Lilly_eecar) 17 June 2026

>>> Lola Yamaha ABT without team principal Mark Preston

[06/19 | 10:24 am] According to information from FE Notebook, the Lola Yamaha ABT team will be at the circuit in China this race weekend without their team principal, Mark Preston. In Sanya, Frederic Espinos will take on the role of team principal, before Preston rejoins the team in Shanghai.

>>> Autograph session wristbands for Sanya

[06/19 | 9.50 am] The autograph session will take place in Sanya on Saturday 20 June 2026 at 12:35 am local time. According to Formula E, fans can collect their wristbands for the autograph session at the Fan Village. However, numbers are limited, so it’s on a "first come, first served" basis.

>>> Jake Dennis is to become a father

[06/19 | 9.30 am] Andretti driver Jake Dennis and his fiancée Lexi Grace Boosey have announced on Instagram that they are expecting a baby. This will be the couple’s first child, alongside their dog Billy.

>>> Lenovo is Formula E’s new digital partner

[06/19 | 09.25 am] Lenovo and Formula E have joined forces to optimise the production of live broadcasts. The collaboration aims to demonstrate how Formula E is using artificial intelligence to manage complex real-time broadcast environments, enhance the performance of onboard video feeds and deliver an even more immersive experience to audiences worldwide.

Linda Yao, Chief Operating Officer of the Solutions & Services Group at Lenovo, says: "More than ever before, sports organisations are under pressure to deliver higher-quality broadcasts and create more engaging fan experiences. What we are demonstrating with Formula E is how these goals can be achieved in practice by using AI to tackle real-world challenges in a live environment with high performance demands. From AI-powered broadcasts to immersive digital experiences featuring virtual characters, made possible by Lenovo’s xIQ Agent platform, Formula E serves as a real-time testing ground for innovation."