It was a disappointing FWD Sanya E-Prix for Langwathby’s Oliver Turvey and his NIO Formula E team.

In China, Penrith-born Turvey and Tom Dillmann battled the odds to post P12 and P13 finishes respectively, but they were unable to get among the points.

With qualifying not working out as intended, Dillmann started as the higher placed of the duo in 17th with Turvey two positions further behind.

The NIO team-mates progressed well in a race impacted by several yellow-flag interruptions and a red-flag stoppage with 10 minutes to go, however, the pair couldn’t break into the top 10.

At the beginning of the 45-minute plus one lap encounter, both drivers made good starts but Dillmann was impeded as a result of contact to the rear of his car from a rival, and so dropped behind 31-year-old Turvey.

Moving into 14th and 15th by lap two, the pairing did lose some ground but started to again move back up the order and, prior to the red flag, Dillmann had passed Turvey to claim 14th.

After the resumption, Turvey hit back to re-pass the Frenchman and the NIOs then climbed into 12th and 13th before the E-Prix concluded under full course yellow conditions, due to a final-lap collision involving two cars.

Former Queen Elizabeth Grammar School student Turvey said: “It was great to be racing in China, we have had a lot of support which has been fantastic and a real boost. 

“The race was tough and, with a new track layout and the heat, it presented a number of challenges.

"We pushed as hard as we could to get the most out of it but had to settle for no points which was disappointing. 

“As a team, it was disappointing not to get a better result for NIO but we certainly gave it our best.”

Engineering director Paul Fickers added: “In another eventful E-Prix, the NIO Formula E-Team came close to a points score in its home race in Sanya. 

“The full course yellow at the end of the race didn’t allow the usual thrilling fight for positions and did, as such, anticipate the final race outcome. The team will now focus its attention on the upcoming European season and are looking forward to another exciting event in Rome [in the next round on April 13].”