The Sanya ePrix was announced as part of the 2018–19 calendar in June 2018 by Formula E founder, Alejandro Agag,[1] and was confirmed as season 5's 6th race on 10 January 2019.

The circuit featured a number of tight 90° and 180° turns, whilst also enjoying two long straights that passed over two bridges.

The notable incidents happened when Virgin Racing driver Robin Frijns rubbing the wall multiple times during the session.

The fastest six overall competitors in the four groups participated in a "super pole" session with one driver on the track at any time going out in reverse order from fifth to first.

[7] In group one, BMW Andretti driver Antonio Felix da Costa was fastest, ahead of d'Ambrosio, and Di Grassi.

[13] In the third group, Buemi set the fastest lap, ahead of BMW Andretti driver Alexander Sims, and his teammate, Oliver Rowland.

Alexander Sims didn't set his super pole time because a gear selection issue on his car.

[14] After qualifying, Sébastien Buemi was disqualified from the Super Pole session for brake infringement, dropping him to sixth, before he had to start from the pit lane after replacing a part of his car.

The HWA Racelab driver Gary Paffett also started from the pit lane after fixing an issue of his car.

When the race resumed after 12 minutes, every driver except for Mortara, da Costa Turvey, Dillmann did not activate the second attack mode.

During the penultimate lap, Buemi shoved Frijns to di Grassi, which resulted in his retirement and a full-course yellow.