Monaco is set to host the next round of a tense Championship battle as E1, the world’s first all-electric raceboat series, returns to the Principality’s waters this weekend.
With three races remaining of the 2025 UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF, the E1 Monaco race could prove pivotal.
Following dramatic showdowns in Dubrovnik and Lago Maggiore, Italy, Team Rafa narrowly heads the leaderboard at 125 points going into the race, with Team Aoki trailing just seven points in their wake. A win in one of the year’s most glamorous settings at the weekend could be the difference between title glory and heartbreak on the road to be crowned Champions of the Water in Miami in November.
Team Rafa’s French pilot Tom Chiappe will be looking to deliver a standout performance on familiar waters. With Monaco just a short walk from the French border, a local contingent is expected to cheer on the home favourite as he aims to climb the top step of the podium with fellow Team Rafa pilot Spaniard Cris Lazarraga.
Returning to Port Hercule, the E1 RaceBirds will again ‘fly’ over the water once they hit foiling speed in view of the shoreline, offering fans an up-close view of the skill and strategy demonstrated by the nine teams and their 18 pilots. On Saturday, fans can also enjoy entertainment and activations at the E1 Acceleration Festival that will be located at Jetée Lucciana.
Adding to the significance of the weekend, the E1 Monaco race coincides with the twentieth anniversary celebrations of the reign of Prince Albert II. As a long-time champion of marine sustainability, the Prince’s vision aligns with E1’s mission to raise awareness of ocean preservation and conservation.
As a leader in the transition towards electric marine mobility, Monaco continues to play a key role in shaping the future of the sport both on and off the water. Working with MonacoTech, the Principality’s technology incubator, E1 founder and Chief Executive Officer Rodi Basso will be inviting three promising local Monaco-based cleantech start-ups that focus on the Blue Economy and marine electrification to showcase to the invited E1 Ocean Club VIP audience as part of the Championship’s thought leadership Blue Impact Dialogues.
Those watching in Europe can tune in to DAZN’s live coverage or stream E1’s YouTube channel across the weekend, from qualifying through to the Finals. In addition, E1 is broadcast to over 140 territories worldwide.
Rodi Basso, founder and Chief Executive Officer of E1 said: “I am delighted that we are returning to Monaco, which embodies the spirit of E1 with the Principality’s passion for racing combined with its commitment to preserving and conserving our oceans.
“Not only is Monaco an iconic backdrop on E1’s global calendar representing prestige, progress and performance, but it remains the ideal place to showcase the future of electric racing and technology on water. As we continue our mission to accelerate and promote sustainable innovation in marine mobility, we are proud to showcase three Monegasque cleantech start-ups alongside putting on what promises to be an exciting race for fans.”
Monaco is the final European stop of the season before the teams head to Lagos on the African continent for the first time. The season will then conclude with a high-energy finale in Miami, where one team will be crowned 2025 Champions of the Water.
