E1 powerboat series drops anchor in Monaco
The UIM E1 World Championship, the world’s first all-electric raceboat series, has arrived in Monaco ahead of its showcase race this weekend.
The fourth race of the Championship’s debut season will see the series’ pioneering RaceBird – a first-of-its-kind electric raceboat – take flight on the waters of the prestigious principality.
The Yacht Club de Monaco will welcome the sustainability-driven championship for the first time, joining other prestigious destinations such as Venice, Puerto Banùs and Lake Como, as the series quickly establishes itself as a playground for the rich and famous.
The championship has captured the imaginations of racing fans across the world as adrenaline-fuelled racing is fused with the star-appeal of its team owners who include NFL icon Tom Brady, football great Didier Drogba, actor Will Smith and entrepreneur and billionaire, Marcelo Claure, all of whom are expected in Monaco to back their teams.
The weekend’s racing will see drama and jeopardy as the championship’s nine teams resume battle in a bid to be crowned Champions of the Water. Sights will be set on league leaders Team Miami powered by Magnus after their dramatic win in Puerto Banùs, overcoming Team Brady in the general classification after their early domination of the series.
Amongst the 18 pilots competing is Monegasque pilot, Lisa Caussin Battaglia, racing for cricket superstar Virat Kohli’s Team Blue Rising. The pilot said: ‘It’s a dream to race in my home city in what must be the most exciting and innovative racing series in the world right now. I’m hopeful the team can put on a performance for my home crowd and secure our first win of the season – we’ve definitely got what it takes.”
Rodi Basso, CEO at E1 said: “E1’s ambition is to host races in the most iconic coastal cities around the world, and few are more significant than Monaco. There are several synergies between the principality and the Championship, so we knew from the outset that Monaco had to be a showcase event in our debut season.
“The principality is renowned globally as the home of motorsport and the capital of yachting, for its prestige as a luxury destination for the rich and famous, and for its nautical heritage – all of which align to E1’s core product.
“Monaco is also an international hub for the electrification of marine mobility so we’re looking forward to working with our partners there to accelerate change in this area and make a lasting impact.”
