Team Brady made a triumphant return to form over the weekend as the E1 World Championship hit its halfway mark with the Lago Maggiore GP in northern Italy. The all-electric raceboat series served up one of its most dramatic rounds yet, and fans of high-performance boating found plenty to get excited about.
After topping qualifying in challenging conditions, the star-studded Team Brady pairing of Emma Kimiläinen and Sam Coleman backed it up with their first win of the 2025 season. The team, backed by NFL legend Tom Brady, proved their RaceBird had the pace to match their pedigree—holding off a hungry field of nine international outfits across a tense and action-packed day on the water.
“It’s about time! This is great. I’m so proud of the team—so happy with the result,” Coleman said after crossing the line.
Kimiläinen had earlier secured her place in the final with a flawless performance in her heat, winning by over nine seconds and later earning PIF Pilot of the Race honours.
A weekend of high-speed action and championship shakeups
Lake Maggiore may be best known for its postcard scenery and hydrofoiling history, but this weekend it was all adrenaline. Aoki Racing Team—previously at the top of the leaderboard—were disqualified after a false start, leaving the door wide open for rivals to strike. Team AlUla, co-owned by NBA star LeBron James, suffered a technical issue after a collision with Team Drogba, ending their charge early. Team Brazil and Team Drogba also tangled during the place race, adding to the tension as the fleet navigated wake-induced chop in tight corners.
Rafael Nadal’s Team Rafa capitalised on the chaos, finishing second and taking over the top spot in the championship standings. Blue Rising—one of the most consistent teams in the fleet—rounded out the podium in third, with Will Smith’s Westbrook Racing finishing just shy of a medal in fourth.
Current championship standings
With just three rounds remaining, the fight for the 2025 E1 crown is officially on. Here’s how the teams sit after Lake Maggiore:
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Team Rafa – 125 points
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Aoki Racing Team – 118 points
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Team Brady – 104 points
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Team Blue Rising – 76 points
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Westbrook Racing – 66 points
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Team AlUla (LeBron James) – 60 points
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Team Drogba – 53 points
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Team Miami (powered by Magnus) – 27 points
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Team Brazil – 24 points
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Team Brady’s victory has closed the gap dramatically at the top, reigniting their campaign after a slower start to the season. With only seven points separating the top two teams, and Team Brady now within striking range, the battle for the title is shaping up to go down to the wire.
The electric revolution: what makes E1 unique
For many Kiwi boaters watching the rise of electric propulsion, the E1 Series offers a high-profile look at what marine racing might look like tomorrow.
At the centre of the action is the RaceBird—a foiling, all-electric powerboat that blends cutting-edge technology with environmental innovation. Built for both performance and sustainability, the RaceBird reaches speeds of up to 93kph (50 knots), thanks to a 150kW (200bhp) electric outboard developed by Mercury Racing. Power delivery is quick and smooth, with foiling technology from Factory Marine translating torque into lift and glide.
Each boat runs on a 35kWh high-capacity battery from Kreisel Electric. That battery—charging via efficient systems developed by QiOn—ensures the RaceBird can deliver the endurance required for intense back-to-back sprints. Navigation and race management come courtesy of Simrad and C-MAP, giving pilots real-time information and situational awareness, while McLaren Applied contributes advanced analytics to help crews refine performance.
With identical boats across the fleet, the E1 Series strips away hardware advantages—leaving success entirely down to pilot skill, strategy, and teamwork. Each team consists of one male and one female pilot, sharing equal time at the helm. That format, still rare in top-level motorsport, has added a unique dimension to E1’s competitive framework.
Back to where it all began
Returning to Lake Maggiore was more than a nostalgic gesture. It was here in Italy that the first RaceBird prototype was tested—under the guidance of E1 founder and CEO Rodi Basso. The venue itself, Marina di Verbella, is home to the E1 Pilot Academy, where future talent is scouted and developed.
“It’s been wonderful to bring the Championship back to Italy,” said Basso. “E1 fans here and around the world had an exciting day of racing. As the competition gets closer to the final round in Miami, these incredible teams continue to push the RaceBirds to their absolute limits.”
The racecourse, tucked inside the Ticino Natural Park, provided ideal conditions—flat water, minimal wind, and a scenic natural backdrop that attracted over 140 spectator boats.
Where to next?
The E1 World Championship resumes in Monaco in two weeks, then travels to Lagos, Nigeria—a first for the series and a milestone for electric racing in Africa. The grand finale in Miami will determine who walks away with the 2025 “Champions of the Water” title.
With three events left and the top three teams separated by just 21 points, the title remains anyone’s game.
And for fans back home in New Zealand, the E1 Series is worth keeping an eye on—not just for the racing, but for the technologies shaping the next chapter of marine propulsion.
