The first round of the third season of the E1 Series, the UIM F1 World Championship, kicked off in Jeddah's Abhur North district, Saudi Arabia, for the third time, amidst an enthusiastic atmosphere. This global event is organized by the Saudi Arabian Maritime Sports and Diving Federation in close collaboration with the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), further solidifying the Kingdom's position as a leading destination for sustainable marine sports.
Brady's Domination and the Clash of the Titans
The first day of the championship featured the decisive qualifying rounds, with 10 international teams owned by sports and entertainment celebrities from around the world participating. These qualifying rounds aimed to determine times and positions and divide the teams into groups for the final races. In a stunning display of power and skill, Team Brady – the champions of the previous two editions and owned by American football legend Tom Brady – completely dominated the opening round.
The British driver Sam Coleman and the Finnish driver Emma Kämilainen led the team to victory, securing first place and claiming the overall lead in the main race. The competition was fierce, particularly from the Aoki Racing Team , owned by world-renowned DJ Steve Aoki, who finished second after a remarkable performance from their Spanish driver Dani Clos and his Jamaican teammate Sara Messer. Meanwhile, Team Rafa , owned by tennis star Rafael Nadal, confirmed their strong presence by finishing third with French driver Tom Chiappe and Spanish driver Cris Lazaraga.
Team rankings and competitor performances
The excitement continued in the remaining positions, with Westbrook Racing finishing fourth after a strong performance from Spaniard Lucas Ordoñez and his American teammate Sara Price. The results for the other teams were as follows:
- Fifth place: Sierra Racing Club (first-time participant) led by Swede Erik Stark and Briton Kitty Mannings.
- Sixth place: Drogba Global Africa (owned by the legend Didier Drogba), represented by New Zealander Mika Wilkinson and Latvian Eva Miller-Hagen.
- Seventh place: Al-Ula team, led by Canadian Rusty Wyatt and his Spanish teammate Nerea Marti.
- Eighth place: Team Monaco, represented by Frenchman Maxime Nocher and Briton Oban Duncan.
- Ninth place: Team Miami (sponsored by Magnus and owned by singer Marc Anthony) and its representatives, Swede Timmy Hansen and Uruguayan Patricia Pita-Gajo.
- Tenth place: Blue Rising team led by American John Peters.
Future technology and the Kingdom's Vision 2030
This championship holds special significance beyond simply being a speed race; it serves as a platform to showcase the latest sustainable maritime transport technologies. The championship features the revolutionary RaceBird boats, which utilize hydrofoil technology to lift the boat above the water's surface, reducing friction and increasing efficiency and speed, while maintaining a zero-carbon footprint in the marine environment.
Jeddah's hosting of this event aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 , which focuses on enhancing quality of life, supporting the sports and tourism sectors, and committing to environmental sustainability and the protection of the Red Sea. The Kingdom's success in hosting the opening rounds of this global championship underscores the readiness of Saudi Arabia's infrastructure to host major international sporting events.
What awaits us in the finals?
The championship continues today with the group stage races, which will feature high-level tactical battles, followed by the qualifying and ranking races. The audience is in for a thrilling final stage where the top three positions will be decided, and the winner of the "Jeddah Grand Prix" will be crowned the winner of the first round of the E1 Electric Powerboat World Championship, providing a strong indication of the rest of the season's competitions.
