KEY POINTS
- E1 Lagos GP marks Africa’s debut in electric powerboat racing.
- Team Brady leads Team Rafa by just one point.
- Sporting icons Tom Brady, Rafael Nadal, and Didier Drogba headline the series.
RaceBird pilots from nine teams in the UIM E1 World Championship are bracing for a decisive weekend in Lagos, as the all-electric powerboat series makes its African debut.
Rivals separated by a single point
The penultimate round of the season comes with a narrow championship gap. Team Brady, owned by NFL legend Tom Brady, leads with 135 points, holding just a one-point edge over Team Rafa, fronted by tennis star Rafael Nadal.
Pilots tested Lagos waters with practice runs on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s qualifying session.
The main race will take place on Sunday, marking Nigeria’s historic entry into the fast-growing electric offshore series that launched last year in Jeddah.
Electric championship spotlight in Lagos
The E1 Lagos GP arrives with global sporting icons adding weight to the spectacle. Didier Drogba, the Ivorian football icon and Chelsea great, co-owns Team Drogba Global Africa with Gabrielle Lemaire. Drogba is expected in Lagos to back his team, which has drawn wide local excitement.
Team Brady’s co-pilot Sam Coleman described the season as intense, noting the slender lead reflects how teams are finding their stride. “We hold a one-point lead, which shows everyone is getting used to the event. We’ll see how it goes in Lagos. I can’t wait for the race,” Coleman said.
Team Rafa’s co-pilot Tom Chiappe said the Lagos stop is more than a race. “We hope to get the support of the fans in Lagos. The entire team has been putting in great work all through the season, and winning here is going to be big for us,” he said.
Team Drogba’s Oban Duncan also highlighted the growing excitement around racing on African waters. Speaking about their preparations, he noted that the conditions on the water felt perfect. Furthermore, Duncan emphasised that Didier Drogba’s influence in Lagos provided the team a strong sense of comfort and belonging.
“Drogba is big here, and he makes the team comfortable, so we hope to count that here,” he said.
E1’s founder and chief executive, Rodi Basso, called the Lagos race a pivotal moment for the sport’s global expansion. “Lagos brings incredible energy, creativity and ambition that matches E1’s DNA perfectly. Basso said the organisers are collaborating with local partners to stage a sporting spectacle that promotes clean innovation.
He explained the event would also elevate Lagos’ profile as a global hub for sport and sustainable development worldwide.
The season finale is scheduled for Miami after the Lagos GP, making the Nigerian stop a crucial championship turning point.
