Sanya, a city on China's Hainan Island, will welcome electric motorsport in 2019.
Sanya, a city on China's Hainan Island, will welcome electric motorsport in 2019.
abb formula e

Story highlights

Formula E will head to Sanya, China in 2019

Second time country has hosted electric racing

CNN  — 

Formula E is heading back to the country where it all began for its fifth season of electric racing.

The sixth race of next year’s all-electric championship will take place in Sanya, a city on the southern tip of China’s Hainan Island, four-and-a-half years after the first ever E-Prix was staged in Beijing.

It means there will be two Asian races in the same month next year, with the Hong Kong E-Prix taking place a fortnight before the Sanya race on March 23.

“Bringing the ABB FIA Formula E Championship back to mainland China is an important step in a key territory for the series and a market that’s instrumental to the continued development and uptake of electric vehicles globally,” said Alejandro Agag, founder and CEO of the series.

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JUNE 10: Mitch Evans (NZL), Panasonic Jaguar Racing, Jaguar I-Type II. Mitch Evans (NZL), Panasonic Jaguar Racing, Jaguar I-Type II. on June 10, 2018 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Sam Bloxham/Jaguar Panasonic Racing via Getty Images)
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JUNE 10: Mitch Evans (NZL), Panasonic Jaguar Racing, Jaguar I-Type II. Mitch Evans (NZL), Panasonic Jaguar Racing, Jaguar I-Type II. on June 10, 2018 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Sam Bloxham/Jaguar Panasonic Racing via Getty Images)
Handout/Getty Images Europe/FIA Formula E via Getty Images
video

Related video The Zurich ePrix

“Sanya is an idyllic setting for a Formula E race – not just with the stunning views on the shores of the South China Sea – but for the ongoing efforts of Hainan in the field of electric mobility, which has led to Sanya boasting the best air quality of any city in China.”

Hainan, often referred to as the “Hawaii of China,” is renowned for its sandy beaches and clear-blue seas – an image at odds with perceptions of China as an industrial powerhouse. It’s a popular tourist destination, with 60 million people visiting the island in 2016.

Formula E, the world's leading all-electric racing series, officially unveiled its next generation car Tuesday at the Geneva Motor Show.
Formula E, the world's leading all-electric racing series, officially unveiled its next generation car Tuesday at the Geneva Motor Show.
FIA Formula E
The Gen2, as it's been named, will make its racing debut at the start of the 2018-19 Formula E season.
The Gen2, as it's been named, will make its racing debut at the start of the 2018-19 Formula E season.
FIA Formula E
After a digital launch earlier this year, the first physical model was revealed by FIA President Jean Todt and Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag.
After a digital launch earlier this year, the first physical model was revealed by FIA President Jean Todt and Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag.
FIA Formula E
Formula E title partner ABB provided a robotic arm to lift the cover on the new design.
Formula E title partner ABB provided a robotic arm to lift the cover on the new design.
FIA Formula E
The new car will have twice the energy storage of the current car, doubling its range. It means the end of the mid-race car swap that has been a fixture of Formula E since its debut in 2014.
The new car will have twice the energy storage of the current car, doubling its range. It means the end of the mid-race car swap that has been a fixture of Formula E since its debut in 2014.
FIA Formula E
The Gen2 will have a top speed of 174 mph thanks to an increase in the maximum power output.
The Gen2 will have a top speed of 174 mph thanks to an increase in the maximum power output.
FIA Formula E
It will also have a new LED strip which allows fans to follow the drivers' race modes and tactics.
It will also have a new LED strip which allows fans to follow the drivers' race modes and tactics.
FIA Formula E
Todt said: "Formula E will continue to push the development of electric vehicle technology, and this car is an important milestone in this journey."
Todt said: "Formula E will continue to push the development of electric vehicle technology, and this car is an important milestone in this journey."
FIA Formula E
Formula E unveil next generation car in Geneva

READ: Classic cars reborn as electric

READ: Susie Wolff to run Formula E team

New locations, new drivers

Next season’s championship will commence in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 15 – the first Formula E race ever to be held in the Middle East.

Much excitement has been generated around the new Gen2 race car that will take to city streets around the world next year. With its Batmobile-like design, many are heralding it as the race car of the future.

Felipe Massa is set to become the most decorated Formula One driver to convert to the all-electric series. An F1 veteran of 15 years with 11 grands prix victories to his name, 37-year-old Massa has signed for Venturi ahead of next season – a team co-founded by Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

Visit cnn.com/motorsport for more news and videos

The current Formula E season concludes with a double-header in New York on July 14 and 15.