The E1 Series is a new all-electric powerboating championship – with a host of celebrity owners from the world of sport and music. Will Smith, Virat Kohli, Tom Brady, Rafael Nadal, Didier Drogba and Steve Aoki are among the star-studded owners involved in this new powerboating series.
What is the E1 Series?
The competition launched in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, February 2, 2024 by Alejandro Agag, Chairman and Co-founder of E1, and will see up to twelve teams take to the water in unique ‘Racebirds’, which can reach speeds of 57mph and are powered purely by batteries and electric motors.
RaceBirds are raceboats powered by an electric outboard motor that are fitted with hydrofoils to lift clear out of the water to avoid excess drag, similar to catamarans.
“Our race locations not only will provide a stunning backdrop for our RaceBirds, but they align with our goals of improving the ecosystems in which we race and accelerating marine electrification,” said Rodi Basso, CEO and Co-founder of E1.
E1 says it is committed to protecting the world’s waters for future generations. Its Blue Action Program, spearheaded by Chief Scientist Prof. Carlos Duarte, focuses on making a positive impact by accelerating the development of clean technologies and blue restoration programs that will help repair already damaged ecosystems.
Who are the owners?
The first season will start with nine teams owned by some of the biggest names in their fields. From the sports world are Tom Brady (Team Brady, #12), Rafael Nadal (Team Rafa, #09), Virat Kohli (Team Blue Rising, #05), Didier Drogba (Team Drogba, #07), and Sergio Pérez (Sergio Pérez E1 Team, #11). From the world of music and entertainment are Steve Aoki (Aoki Racing Team, #77) and Marc Anthony (Team Miami, #16) and Will Smith (Westbrook Racing). Claure Group Founder & CEO and Shein Group Vice Chairman Marcelo Claure owns the ninth team (Team Brazil, #10).
“The list of names in the Season 1 calendar shows the immense confidence our city stakeholders have in E1 before the first race has even started and there’s still so much more to come from the championship,” said Alejandro Agag, Chairman and Co-founder of E1.
Steve Aoki (Aoki Racing Team) – World-renowned DJ
Virat Kohli (Team Blue Rising) – Indian cricket star
Tom Brady (Team Brady) – Seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback
Marcelo Claure (Team Brazil) – Bolivian-American entrepreneur and businessman
Didier Drogba (Team Drogba) – former Chelsea and Ivory Coast footballer
Marc Anthony (Team Miami) – American singer, four-time Grammy winner
Sergio Perez (Sergio Perez E1 Team) – Red Bull Formula 1 driver
Rafael Nadal (Team Rafa) – 22-time Grand Slam tennis champion
Will Smith (Westbrook Racing) – Oscar-winning actor
What is the format?
Each race weekend consists of two days, with the first utilised for testing and practice.
Qualifying then takes place in the form of head-to-head time trials to round off the first day before four quarter-finals and two semi-finals on day two. The final sees four boats race to be crowned the winner.
What is the 2024 schedule?
Race 1 – Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (3 February)
Race 2 – Venice, Italy (12 May)
Race 3 – Puerto Banus, Spain (2 June)
Race 4 – Monaco (27 July)
Race 5 – Lake Como (24 August)
Race 7 – Hong Kong (10 November)
Source: E1 Series
