Monaco didn’t have a team to represent it at the UIM E1 World Championship. But, now it finally does. On October 20th, at Sportel Monaco, Prince Albert II unveiled Team Monaco’s electric racing boat, marking the Principality’s official entry into the championship.
The team, which will compete from the start of the 2026 season, was co-founded by Monaco resident Chris Taylor and 11-time World Kite Foil Champion Maxime Nocher. Speaking to Monaco Life at the launch, Taylor explained how the partnership came about.
“I met Max at Lake Mashuri. He was keen to get involved, while I was really keen on boat racing and the whole idea of E1,” Taylor said. “We met 18 months ago, so it’s taken us quite a while to get here, but we’re here today. It’s a very proud moment, very proud.”
Racing against celebrity-backed teams
E1 is the world’s first all electric race boat championship, featuring teams with both male and female pilots racing in cities including Jeddah, Doha, Monaco and Miami. The electric RaceBirds compete on tight circuits, with existing teams owned by celebrities including LeBron James, Will Smith, Rafael Nadal and Tom Brady.
Team Monaco will race under number 98, Monaco’s country code, and aims to align with both the Prince Albert II Foundation’s mission to regenerate the oceans and the Princess Charlene Foundation’s efforts to reduce drownings through education.
Regarding their ambitions for 2026, the founders showed competitive spirit balanced with realism. “We’re aiming for the podium every race,” Nocher said. “I mean, we have a really competitive team and we want to achieve great things.”
Meanwhile, Taylor added with a laugh: “Max said he wants to win the championship in 2026. I said, ‘2027, let’s go for it. ’26, podiums.’ You never know.”
Unlike other E1 teams backed by individual celebrities, Team Monaco represents an entire nation. “How can it not be an advantage when you’ve got an entire country rooting for you?” Taylor said. “We feel very confident Monaco’s going to support us well. We’re looking forward to it. So, thank you all in Monaco.”
Monaco already hosts one of the most prestigious stops on the E1 calendar at Port Hercule each summer around the Yacht Club de Monaco, which Nocher and Taylor describe as their “spiritual home”.
Alejandro Agag, founder and chairman of E1, said: “Team Monaco embodies everything E1 stands for – performance, technology, and purpose. We’re thrilled to welcome Team Monaco as E1 continues to inspire the next generation of sustainable innovators.”
Additionally, Rodi Basso, founder and chief executive officer of E1, added: ” Monaco has been a cornerstone of the E1 calendar, and the launch of its own team takes this relationship to new heights. With the Principality’s leadership in sustainability and innovation, Team Monaco perfectly reflects our ongoing commitment to ocean preservation.
See also:
Dramatic crash shakes E1 Monaco as championship leaders face setback
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Main photo credit: Monaco Life.