Preparing for their first Formula E Sanya E-Prix, CUPRA KIRO aims to build on their 2026 Monaco E-Prix breakthrough as the championship enters its decisive final phase.
Last visited in Season 5 in 2019, the Sanya Haitang Bay Circuit returns to the Formula E calendar, ready to offer its unique challenges. As the E-Prix combines the track’s technical layout with Sanya’s high temperatures, energy and tyre management will prove key to success.
CUPRA KIRO drivers ready to take on a new track
Unlike several of their Formula E rivals, Dan Ticktum and Pepe Martí head into Round 11 with no previous Sanya experience. However, coming off a strong Monaco E-Prix double-header, where Ticktum claimed consecutive pole positions and Martí secured his maiden podium, the duo is confident about taking on the new challenge.
Speaking ahead of the weekend, Ticktum shared: “Sanya is new track for me. The circuit has a lot of tight corners and bumps and characteristically, I think it could suit us quite well. After Monaco we identified a few areas where we can improve over long-distance running in hot conditions, and now that we’ve looked into it, hopefully we’ll be able to improve our race pace.”
Martí added: “I’m very excited to be racing in Sanya this weekend. It’s the first time I’ll be racing in China, and overall, the track looks very interesting. After the podium in Monaco, I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do in Sanya and what we can achieve in terms of results!”
“We’re not at all interested in standing still”: O’Hagan eyes improvement
As the 2026 Formula E Sanya E-Prix marks the start of Season 12’s Asian leg, CUPRA KIRO’s Team Principal Russell O’Hagan assessed the team’s progress ahead of an important final phase of the year:
“We’re looking forward to getting the Asian leg underway and commencing what will be a very important phase of the year. With just four race weekends remaining, every point and every opportunity is becoming increasingly valuable, so our focus is on making sure that we maximise what’s ahead.”
“Monaco was a very significant weekend for us as a team, and taking consecutive pole positions and securing our first podium of the season was a just reward for a lot of hard work that’s been going on behind the scenes,” he explained.
CUPRA KIRO have so far endured a mixed 2025/26 season, having claimed 68 points while suffering six DNFs. Currently sitting eighth in the Teams’ Standings with seven races left, maximizing performance and earning points will be crucial for a strong finish.
With that in mind, O’Hagan continued: “Despite that, we’re not at all interested in standing still. The challenge is now to carry that momentum forward so we can consistently convert our pace into results. Sanya is the start of an intense run of races, with Shanghai and Tokyo following shortly afterwards, so a strong performance this weekend could really set the tone for the remainder of the campaign. The competition will be incredibly tight as always, but we’re confident in our potential and we’re excited about what lies ahead.”
