Team Aoki races to victory in opening round for 2025 E1 championship
Aoki Racing Team has triumphed at the opening round of the 2025 UIM E1 World Championship.
The electric powerboat team, backed by superstar DJ Steve Aoki, secured its first ever series win to establish an early Championship lead.
The victory marks a stunning comeback for the team after a difficult 2024 season which saw them finish in eighth overall in the final championship standings.
The E1 Jeddah GP saw nine teams compete in a day of captivating foil-to-foil racing that culminated in Aoki Racing Team’s first ever E1 win. They return home with maximum points after fending off fierce competition from Rafael Nadal’s Team Rafa who finished in second place and Virat Kohli’s Team Blue Rising who secured their maiden podium in third.
Aoki Racing Team pilot and Saudi native Mashael Alobaidan – the country’s first-ever female rally driver – thrilled the home fans with her best performance in a RaceBird to date. Speaking after the race, Alobaidan described the win as “the best of her career so far” in an incredible change in fortunes for the pilot.
Steve Aoki said: “Last year, I think we placed last or close to last. So it just goes to show the underdog has a chance when you have determination, passion, and love for the sport.
“We came together and we retooled everything we possibly could, we put our heart and determination into it, and just to see this all happening right here, right now, winning this one, it’s just a dream come true.”
E1’s 2025 season will anchor in iconic coastal destinations including Monaco, Lake Como and a season finale in Miami which will mark the Championship’s debut in North America.
The Championship now heads to Qatar for the Visit Qatar E1 Doha GP weekend which starts on February 21.
