History was made in Lagos at the weekend as Team Brazil by Claure Group clinched its maiden victory at the E1 Lagos Grand Prix, presented by FirstBank, marking the first-ever electric powerboat race to take place on African waters.
The race, part of the UIM E1 World Championship transformed Lagos Lagoon into a global sporting stage, attracting thousands of spectators and international attention as the continent hosted one of the world’s most innovative motorsport events.
After an intense and weather-disrupted contest, Team Brazil’s pilots, Timmy Hansen and Ieva Millere-Hagin, demonstrated remarkable skill and resilience to secure the top spot ahead of Team Blue Rising, co-owned by Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli, and Team Drogba Global Africa, led by football icon Didier Drogba.
Despite a tropical storm that briefly delayed the start, Hansen named PIF Pilot of the Race, capitalized on Team Brazil’s pole position from Saturday’s qualifying session to dominate the final race.
The Lagos GP victory not only marks Team Brazil’s first win of the season but also intensifies the championship battle for the coveted Champions of the Water title as the series heads to its climactic finale in Miami this November. Team Brady now regains the championship lead, closely trailed by Team Rafa, in what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 season.
The event was attended by a host of global sports stars and local dignitaries. Didier Drogba, who played a pivotal role in bringing E1 to Africa, joined the celebrations alongside co-owner Gabrielle Lemaire as his team secured a podium finish, showcasing Africa’s growing influence in the international motorsport arena.
Lagos, Africa’s largest and most vibrant city, now joins a prestigious list of global locations including Monaco, Dubrovnik, and Doha that have hosted the E1 series, further positioning Nigeria as a destination for innovation-driven global sporting events.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of E1, Rodi Basso, described the Lagos race as a milestone moment, emphasizing its importance for the continent’s sports, technology, and sustainability sectors.
“We made history in Lagos today,” Basso said. “This weekend’s race is a landmark for our World Championship and for Africa, proving the continent’s appetite for motorsport, sustainability, and technological innovation. Our vision is to build a legacy here, inspiring new generations of fans and paving the way for cleaner marine mobility. Today’s racing was electric in every sense.”
The E1 Championship, backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), is the world’s first all-electric raceboat competition aimed at promoting renewable energy, environmental protection, and the future of clean-water transport.
Following the Lagos GP, the championship now turns to North America for the Miami Grand Prix, where teams will battle for the 2025 Champions of the Water crown in what organizers predict will be the most exciting showdown yet.
E1 Lagos GP Presented by First bank Final Podium:
1. Team Brazil by Claure Group
2. Team Blue Rising
3. Team Drogba Global Africa
Current Championship Standings:
Team Brady – 154 pts
Team Rafa – 151 pts
Team Blue Rising – 145 pts
Aoki Racing Team – 134 pts
Westbrook Racing – 94 pts
Team Drogba Global Africa – 90 pts
Team Brazil by Claure Group – 89 pts
Team AlUla championed by LeBron James – 84 pts
Team Miami – 39 pts