Team Brazil, with racers Timmy Hansen and Leva Millere-Hagin, emerged victorious at the E1 Lagos Grand Prix, marking Africa’s first-ever electric powerboat championship. The historic event, held at the Victoria Island Lagoon, showcased Lagos' readiness to compete on the global stage and its commitment to innovation, clean energy, and sustainable development. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu hailed the race as a “bold step for innovation, clean energy, and global recognition,” positioning Lagos alongside cities like Monaco, London, and Venice on the esteemed E1 circuit.

The E1 Lagos Grand Prix commenced on Friday with a vibrant boat regatta, celebrating the beauty of Lagos’ waterways. Saturday featured intense qualifying trials and high-speed races, captivating thousands of spectators at the Marina waterfront. In a thrilling qualifying session, Team Rafa, owned by tennis legend Rafael Nadal, secured pole position, finishing ahead of Team Brady and Aoki Racing. This result propelled Team Rafa to the top of the overall championship standings with 136 points, closely followed by Team Brady with 135 points, and Aoki Racing with 125 points. Team Brazil, sponsored by the Claure Group, delivered their best performance of the season in Lagos, earning 51 points.

Beyond the top contenders, other teams also made their mark on the leaderboard. Team Blue Rising accumulated 114 points, Westbrook Racing secured 82 points, Team Alula (backed by LeBron James) had 79 points, Team Drogba Global Africa garnered 66 points, and Team Miami finished with 32 points. Governor Sanwo-Olu extended his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his goodwill message, reaffirming Nigeria’s dedication to sustainability and the blue economy, and expressing immense pride in Lagos’ achievements during the weekend.

The E1 Series, sanctioned by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), stands as the world’s first all-electric powerboat championship. Launched in 2024, it features cutting-edge, hydrofoil-equipped RaceBirds capable of reaching speeds up to 50 knots while significantly minimizing environmental impact. E1 Founder and CEO Rodi Basso described the Lagos event as a “defining moment for motorsport in Africa,” emphasizing the ambition to build a lasting motorsport legacy on the continent. African football legend Didier Drogba, alongside partner Gabrielle Lemaire, played a crucial role in bringing the E1 Series to Africa and attended to support Team Drogba Global Africa.

The Lagos Grand Prix served as the penultimate round of the inaugural E1 season, with the grand finale scheduled to take place in Miami later in the year. The 2025 E1 season is set to include stops in global cities such as Jeddah, Doha, Monaco, and Miami, with Lagos marking Africa’s inaugural appearance on this prestigious calendar. Governor Sanwo-Olu, who recently addressed the African Blue Economy Summit, highlighted that hosting the E1 GP underscores Lagos’ strategic vision to harness its extensive waterways for economic growth, job creation, innovation, and enhanced climate resilience, demonstrating how water can inspire sport, entertainment, and major advancements in technology and sustainability.