E1 electric powerboat championship kicks off in Lagos Oct 4

The world’s top Formula 2 pilots have converged on Lagos for the next leg of the Electric Powerboat Racing Championship (E1 Series).

The event is set to electrify the inland waterways of the Victoria Island lagoon from October 4 to 5.

This marks a significant moment for the sport as Lagos becomes the first African host city for the E1 Series, an all-electric international offshore powerboat racing championship that debuted in Jeddah in 2024. The global tour will conclude with a final race in Miami, USA.

The championship features nine celebrity-backed teams, boasting owners from the worlds of entertainment, business, and sports. The star-studded lineup includes The Steve Aoki Racing Team represented by racers Dani Clos and Mashael Alobaidan; Team AlUla, supported by LeBron James; Team Blue Rising, supported by Virat Kohli; and Team Brady, managed by Tom Brady.

Others are Team Brazil, funded by the Claure Group; Team Drogba, supported by Didier Drogba Foundation; Team Miami; Team Rafa, owned by Rafael Nadal; and Team Westbrook Racing, funded by actor Will Smith.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos, was present at the opening ceremony, which took place on Friday.

Speaking at the ceremony, the governor commended the impact of E1 Lagos GP while assuring the state’s commitment to hosting future events, making the race a permanent event on the global E1 calendar.

Ahead of the main event, pilots took to the water briefly for a crucial test run, building anticipation for Saturday’s qualifying session and Sunday’s main race. The competitors expressed widespread excitement about racing in Nigeria, with many noting it was their first visit to the continent.

One racer captured the sentiment, saying, “we feel excited because it is a country of happy people”.

The competition on the water is as intense as the celebrity rivalry on land. The current championship standings are incredibly tight, with Team Brady leading the table with 135 points, closely followed by Team Rafa with 134. The Steve Aoki Racing Team (125) and Team Blue Rising (114) hold third and fourth place, respectively.

Sam Coleman, pilot for the leading Team Brady, acknowledged the pressure to maintain their position.

Coleman, who will be assisted by co-pilot Emma Kimiläinen, however, expressed confidence that his team will retain its top position on the table.

“It is a challenge. But we are working very hard to just do our own job, take as many points as we can and then hopefully at the end of this race, but especially after the Miami race when the season is over, we hope to be on top,” he said.

“But, we need to, it’s a team sport, so we have plenty of guys working on the boat, being on the break wall as a strategic team.”

Kimiläinen highlighted the unpredictable nature of the sport.

“We are actually not probably doing anything differently, so we trust ourselves, we definitely know what we’re doing, but everything just needs to go as planned, and that’s what E1 is all about, it never goes as planned,” she said.

For other teams, like Will Smith’s Westbrook Racing, the focus is also on the unique energy of the Lagos location.

Pilot Lucas Ordóñez shared his enthusiasm, stating, “It is exciting to be here in Nigeria, Africa. It is exciting, and we look forward to racing here. We heard Lagos is a vibrant place, and we hope to bring some of those energies to the race.”

According to Rodi Basso, founder and CEO of E1, the choice of Lagos was a strategic one.

“Lagos brings incredible energy, creativity, and ambition that matches E1’s DNA perfectly. We’re honoured to work with local partners to create a sporting spectacle that helps drive clean innovation while elevating Lagos’ profile as a global hub for sport and sustainable development,” he said.

Following races in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Doha (Qatar), Dubrovnik (Croatia), Lagos Maggiore (Italy), and Monaco (France), the Lagos stop is a key chapter in the E1 Series’ inaugural season.

TINUBU: E1 LAGOS GP IS A STATEMENT OF INTENT

President Bola Tinubu described the event as “a statement of intent,” adding that it signals to the world that Nigeria and Africa are “to lead in the great transition to clean energy and sustainable prosperity”.

“This championship is not merely a thrilling spectacle on water but a statement of intent,” the president said.

“The E1 Powerboat series combines world-class entertainment with clean energy innovation, showcasing electric-powered vessels that point the way to a greener and more sustainable future. As a nation committed to renewable energy and environmental stewardship, Nigeria welcomes this pioneering event as a fitting compliment to our drive toward a low-carbon economy.”

More pictures from the opening ceremony: