Aoki Racing Team, supported by global music icon Steve Aoki, has made a triumphant start to the 2025 UIM E1 World Championship, securing a stunning victory at the highly-anticipated season opener in Jeddah.
The electrifying E1 Jeddah GP, held on the Red Sea before a crowd of enthusiastic fans, saw nine teams competing in nail-biting foil-to-foil racing. Aoki Racing Team surged to their first-ever E1 victory, overcoming fierce challenges from Rafael Nadal’s Team Rafa and Virat Kohli’s Team Blue Rising, who finished second and third respectively. The win marks an extraordinary comeback for Aoki Racing Team after a challenging 2024 season where they placed eighth overall.
Saudi Arabia’s first-ever female rally driver, Mashael Alobaidan, delivered a career-best performance as the team’s pilot. Alongside her new teammate, former Formula 1 test driver Dani Clos, the duo dominated the competition, thrilling the home crowd with their exceptional speed and precision. Alobaidan described the victory as “the best of her career so far”, while Steve Aoki praised his team’s determination and passion, saying, “It just goes to show the underdog has a chance when you have determination, passion, and love for the sport.”
The Jeddah GP also saw moments of individual brilliance, with Eric Stark of Team Miami powered by Magnus setting the fastest lap of the day to earn an additional point for his team. Meanwhile, reigning champions Team Brady fell short in the finals, setting up a fiercely competitive 2025 season as teams aim to claim the ultimate prize.
“Fans have seen a thrilling racing spectacle this weekend here on the Red Sea,” said Rodi Basso, Co-Founder and CEO of E1. “The level of competition and drama reached new heights today.”
The next stop in the 2025 UIM E1 World Championship is the Visit Qatar E1 Doha GP, which kicks off on 21st February. The season will also feature iconic coastal locations, including Monaco, Lake Como, and Miami, where the Championship will make its North American debut.
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Main photo credit: Birgit Dieryck, Spacesuit Media