Making waves in Africa
History was made this weekend as the UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF staged its first-ever African event, the E1 Lagos GP presented by FirstBank. The tropical waters of Lagos Lagoon provided a spectacular stage as Team Brazil by Claure Group surged from pole position to its maiden victory in the world’s first all-electric raceboat series.
Saturday’s qualifying hinted at the drama to come. After an intense battle on the narrow course, Team Brazil clinched pole ahead of Team Rafa and Aoki Racing Team,. The result was significant — not only did it mark the team’s first-ever top-spot start, it also reshuffled the championship standings. Team Rafa’s second-place qualifying finish added two crucial points, allowing Rafael Nadal’s squad to edge past Tom Brady’s Team Brady by a single point heading into race day.
The tension on the pontoon was palpable. Team Brady, hampered by technical problems in qualifying, faced the prospect of losing its grip on the championship lead it had held since mid-season. With only Lagos and Miami left in the 2025 campaign, every second counted.
Weathering the storm
Sunday dawned hot and humid — until a tropical storm rolled over Lagos Lagoon, delaying the start and whipping up the waters. When the RaceBirds finally took flight, it was Team Brazil’s pilots Timmy Hansen and Ieva Millere-Hagin who mastered the changing conditions.
Their composure and teamwork paid off handsomely. Despite fierce pressure from Virat Kohli’s Team Brazil, the Claure Group duo held their line to claim a commanding win. Team Blue Rising crossed second, while Team Drogba Global Africa, co-owned by football legend Didier Drogba and Gabrielle Lemaire, and featuring Kiwi Micah Wilkonson, thrilled home fans with a hard-fought third.
The result was a statement of intent. After a steady season punctuated by flashes of speed, Team Brazil finally found its rhythm — and on the biggest stage yet. Hansen’s confident drive earned him the PIF Pilot of the Race award.
Local pride, global stage
For Lagos, the event was far more than a motor race. As thousands of fans lined the lagoon and the city’s skyline glittered in the background, Nigeria became the heart of a new chapter in international water sport.
Rodi Basso, founder and CEO of E1, praised both the atmosphere and the significance of the occasion:
“We made history in Lagos today. This weekend’s race is a landmark moment for our World Championship and for Africa — proving the continent’s appetite for motorsport, sustainability, and technological innovation.”
He added that E1’s long-term goal is to build a motorsport legacy on the continent, inspiring future generations and promoting cleaner marine mobility.
That vision was mirrored by Drogba himself, who attended the event to support his team and celebrate with the crowd. For many Nigerians, his presence symbolised the connection between sport, innovation, and African pride.
Lagos joins the legends
By hosting Africa’s debut E1 event, Lagos joins an illustrious list of cities — from Monaco to Doha — that have embraced the series’ vision of electric performance and sustainable innovation. The waterfront’s energy, combined with the roar of the crowd and the whine of the RaceBirds’ turbines, gave a glimpse of what’s possible when technology and passion collide.
Team Brazil’s victory marked a turning point for both the team and the sport. It demonstrated that E1’s global expansion is more than a marketing statement — it’s a cultural bridge connecting continents through competition on the water.
As the lights go out on Lagos, attention now turns to Miami, where the championship’s grand finale will determine who lifts the coveted trophy and becomes the true Champion of the Water.
E1 Lagos GP – Official results
1st, Team Brazil by Claure Group, driven by Timmy Hansen and Marit Stromoy, 41 pts
2nd, Team Blue Rising, driven by Sara Misir and John Peeters, 31 pts
3rd, Team Drogba Global Africa, driven by Micah Wilkinson and Oban Duncan, 24 pts
4th, Team Brady, driven by Sam Coleman and Emma Kimiläinen, 19 pts
5th, Team Rafa, driven by Cris Lazarraga and Tom Chiappe, 17 pts
6th, Westbrook Racing, driven by Sara Price and Lucas Ordóñez, 13 pts
7th, Aoki Racing Team, driven by Mashael Alobaidan and Dani Clos, 9 pts
8th, Team Miami powered by Magnus, driven by Anna Glennon and Erik Stark, 7 pts
9th, Team AlUla championed by LeBron James, driven by Catie Munnings and Rusty Wyatt, 5 pts
Championship wide open
Behind the celebrations, the battle for the 2025 Champions of the Water crown remains wide open. Team Brady’s fourth-place finish in Lagos was enough to reclaim the overall lead, though by the narrowest of margins. Team Rafa’s fifth place sees Nadal’s squad slip to second, with Aoki Racing, Team Blue Rising, and Team Brazil still mathematically in contention.
Just one race remains — the Miami Grand Prix on 8 November — and the top four teams are separated by less than 25 points. It’s a tantalising scenario for E1’s finale in North America, where the next world champion will be decided.
