About Haitang Bay Circuit
The Haitang Bay Circuit sits on the tropical island of Hainan, China, approximately 15 miles northeast of Sanya city. This temporary street circuit serves as a venue for electric racing events and opened for competition in 2019. The track combines public roads with a stunning coastal setting along the South China Sea. Resort hotels and luxury developments surround the circuit, which creates a unique racing atmosphere that blends high-performance motorsport with vacation scenery. Officials designed the track specifically for Formula E racing, and it holds an FIA Grade 3E homologation that certifies it meets international safety standards for electric racing cars.
Track Layout and Technical Specifications
The circuit runs anti-clockwise for 2.236 kilometers (1.389 miles) through 11 corners. The track width changes between 12 and 18 meters along different sections. Drivers face a tight 90-degree left turn at Turn 1, followed by a double-apex right-hand corner that tests precision. Turn 5 presents a challenging hairpin that requires heavy braking and careful acceleration. Two long straights cross over bridges and allow cars to reach their top speeds before drivers must slow for the technical sections. The layout includes dedicated Attack Mode activation zones where Formula E drivers can gain extra power. Engineers treated the asphalt surface with a resin-based solution before the first race to prevent the track from breaking up under high temperatures. This treatment addressed problems that occurred at a previous Formula E race in Santiago, where heat caused the track surface to deteriorate.
Racing History and Notable Events
The Haitang Bay Circuit hosted its first race on March 23, 2019, during the 2018-19 ABB FIA Formula E season. This event marked Round 6 of that championship season and became the second Formula E race held on mainland China, following Beijing. Jean-Éric Vergne won the inaugural Sanya ePrix for DS Techeetah. The race faced challenges from high temperatures and required a red flag stoppage after crash debris blocked the track. Organizers scheduled the circuit to appear on the Formula E calendar for multiple years, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced cancellations in 2020 and 2021. The 2019 race remains the only event held at the circuit to date. Formula E has scheduled the Hankook Sanya ePrix to return on June 20, 2026, for Season 12 of the championship.
Circuit Features and Facilities
Workers construct the temporary circuit using existing public roads that run through Haitang Bay. The pit lane and paddock area occupy a car park located between two resort hotels. This location provides teams and spectators with views of the South China Sea. Temporary grandstands go up in the luxury resort areas to accommodate race fans. Officials created the circuit to promote Hainan's clean air and attract more tourists to this coastal region. The track challenges drivers with narrow sections, short straights, and technical corners that demand precise control and careful energy management from Formula E cars.
Lap Records and Performance Data
Jean-Éric Vergne holds the official race lap record at 1:09.965, which he set during the 2019 Sanya ePrix. Sebastien Buemi posted the fastest qualifying lap at 1:07.670 in 2019. These times demonstrate the circuit's technical nature and show how drivers must balance speed with energy conservation on this demanding track.
