Prince Albert II travelled to Jeddah on Saturday to support Team Monaco’s debut in the UIM E1 World Championship, marking the first time the Principality has fielded a team in the all-electric powerboat racing series.
The Prince watched from the Jeddah Corniche Circuit as Team Monaco competed in the season opener, finishing in 10th place with five points. Aoki Racing Team claimed victory in an intense final on the Red Sea, fending off defending champions Team Brady to take an early championship lead with 40 points.
“It made perfect sense to be part of this great adventure”
Interviewed during the race about seeing Team Monaco on the water, Prince Albert II said: “For me it made perfect sense to be part of this great adventure. We have been supportive of the E1 series over the years and we have finally been able to put a team together.”
The Prince emphasised the team’s dual mission of competitive racing and environmental advocacy. “We’ll try and be competitive and achieve the best results possible in the championship. More importantly if we can help to be ambassadors of sustainability and care for our global ocean we will have achieved something great.”
Racing under number 98—Monaco’s country code—the team aligns with the Prince Albert II Foundation’s ocean regeneration mission. The Principality’s entry into E1 follows years of supporting the championship, which Monaco hosts annually at Port Hercule.
Dramatic racing on the Red Sea
The Jeddah race featured intense foil-to-foil action as Aoki Racing’s Sara Misir and Team Rafa’s Cris Lazarraga battled heading into the opening corner. Misir, making her debut for Aoki, came out on top after a slight touch between the two RaceBirds and went on to dominate the remaining six laps.
She was awarded the PIF Pilot of the Day for her performance. “It feels good! Dani went out there and came P1 so I knew I had big boots to fill,” Misir said after the race. Her teammate Dani Clos had secured the inside lane in the first final, setting up her victory.
The E1 Championship features teams with both male and female pilots racing electric RaceBirds on tight, technical circuits. The competition was established to accelerate innovation in electric marine technologies while promoting sustainable urban waters and coastal environments.
Championship standings and sponsors
Following the Saudi season-opener, Aoki Racing Team leads with 40 points, ahead of Team Brady (33 points) and Team AlUla championed by LeBron James (24 points). Team Monaco sits in 10th place with five points.
The championship next heads to Lake Como, Italy, on 24th and 25th April as part of its global tour. Monaco will host the championship at Port Hercule on 17th and 18th July, providing Team Monaco with a home race advantage.
See more of Monaco’s debut in E1 in the photo gallery below, photos sourced from E1
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Main photo source: E1