Inaugural E1 Series 6 Race Season Has American Team Brady Winning 3 Races Out Of 4 Run So Far

Round 4 – E1 Monaco 2024. Image Credit: Shiv Gohil via Hello Monaco (2024)

Inaugural E1 Series 6 Race Season Has American Team Brady Winning 3 Races Out Of 4 Run So Far

In any competitive endeavor there is always a learning curve to figure out what works, and what doesn’t work. In any new competitive series based upon a totally new power delivery infrastructure, one really never used in a medium such as water, this basic process in learning and winning has to be doubly difficult. Team Brady delivers its third competitive event win in four held with two more events planned to be run to complete this first E1 Series season.

Nine teams of two drivers showed up in Monaco to take on this iconic Mediterranean yacht harbor and resort Principality.

Yacht Club de Monaco played host to Team Rafa (above) and The UIM E1 World Championship series teams for this Round 4 of a planned six event weekend series. Image Credit: E1 Series (2024)

This excerpted and edited from E1 Series –

The UIM E1 World Championship, the world’s first all-electric raceboat series, arrived in Monaco to qualifications as Team Rafa, owned by tennis legend Rafael Nadal, topped a breathless qualification session.

Team Rafa pilots Tom Chiappe and Cris Lazarraga sealed pole position after a day of fierce racing to overcome Team Aoki in second place and Team Drogba in third.

The result has set the stage for a thrilling race day on Sunday as the Championship’s nine teams look to topple league leaders Team Miami powered by Magnus after placing fifth in qualifying.

The session marked the Championship’s first competitive outing for the RaceBird, the series’ pioneering electric raceboat, as Monaco, a venue noted for hosting F1 racing events, provided a stunning backdrop to a day of high-adrenaline action.

Monegasque pilot, Lisa Caussin-Battaglia, racing in her home race, ended qualifying in fourth place alongside her Team Blue Rising co-pilot Phelim Kavanagh.

Qualifying Order
Team Rafa – 1:34.074
Aoki Racing – 1:36.700
Team Drogba – 1:37.292
Team Blue Rising – 1:37.772
Team Miami powered by Magnus – 1:39.722
Team Brady – 1:40.715
Team Brazil by Claure Group – 1:42.359
Sergio Perez E1 Team – 1:47.700
Westbrook Racing – 1:47.865
ENDS [reference here]

Team Rafa Drivers: Cris Lazarraga and Tom Chiappe. Image Credit: Shiv Gohil via Hello Monaco (2024)

This excerpted and edited from Hello Monaco –

Wave Riders: Drama and Speed in the E1 Series Electrify Monaco’s Waters

Monaco’s glamorous coastline hosted a spectacular weekend of electric boat racing as the E1 Series took centre stage. The event, officially titled E1 Monaco 2024 presented by BRETT, marked a triumphant return for Team Brady, owned by NFL legend Tom Brady. The victory in Monaco, following early season wins and a stumble in Puerto Banus, places Team Brady back at the top of the championship standings.

Team Brady flyin’ at full speed. Image Credit: Shiv Gohil via Hello Monaco (2024)

Racing Under Pressure
Pilots Sam Coleman and Emma Kimiläinen of Team Brady faced a challenging start, struggling in Saturday’s qualifying rounds. However, they rose to the occasion during the final races on Sunday, demonstrating skill and composure under pressure. The final races saw intense competition among five top teams: Team Brady, Team Rafa, Team Blue Rising with Monegasque Lisa Caussin Battaglia, Team Drogba, and Westbrook Racing.

Dramatic Finishes and Firsts
The finals were a showcase of high stakes and dramatic turns. Team Drogba, led by pilot Yousef Al-Abdulrazzaq, secured first place in the initial race, creating a significant gap ahead of Team Brady. However, it was Team Rafa’s pilot Tom Chiappe who clinched victory in the second final race, marking their first podium finish since the Jeddah race.

Team Brady celebrates its third win in four events. Image Credit: Shiv Gohil via Hello Monaco (2024)

Despite these individual wins, Team Brady’s consistency—finishing second in both races—earned them the overall top spot. The team was awarded their trophy by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco in a celebratory ceremony at the Yacht Club de Monaco.

Navigating Controversy
The weekend wasn’t without its controversies. Team Aoki and Sergio Perez E1 Team received yellow cards for dangerous driving, their pilots now on notice for potential suspension if infractions continue. Former season leaders, Team Miami powered by Magnus, faced elimination in the Race Off with a DNF, while Team Brazil also fell before reaching the finals.

A Grand Stage for Sustainability
Adding to the event’s significance was the announcement of a new partnership between Westbrook Racing, owned by actor Will Smith, and Run Blue, a global initiative addressing the world’s water crisis. This collaboration underscores the E1 Series’ commitment to sustainability and innovation, aligning the high-tech sport with critical environmental causes.

Monaco’s Deep Ties to E1 Series
The E1 Series’ return to Monaco is more than a race; it’s a nod to the birthplace of the championship. The principality has been integral to E1’s development, from the initial agreement between E1 and the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) at the Monaco Yacht Club to the unveiling of the first RaceBird boat. This year’s race weekend echoed with this rich history, blending cutting-edge technology with Monaco’s storied motorsport tradition.

Looking Ahead
With the season’s momentum now shifting to Team Brady, the E1 Series looks ahead to upcoming races in Lake Como, Geneva, and Hong Kong. The competition is fierce, with rivals like Team Miami and Westbrook Racing poised to challenge for the top spot. As the series progresses, the blend of speed, innovation, and tradition continues to captivate audiences, promising an electrifying future for electric boat racing.

Team Blue Drivers: Phelim Kavanagh and Lisa Caussin Battaglia. Image Credit: Shiv Gohil via Hello Monaco (2024)

Lisa Caussin Battaglia
Amongst the 18 pilots competing was Monegasque pilot, Lisa Caussin Battaglia, racing for cricket superstar Virat Kohli’s Team Blue Rising. The pilot who came 7th said, ‘It’s a dream to race in my home city in what must be the most exciting and innovative racing series in the world right now….”

Charles Leclerc and Lisa share the same initials and were both born on October 16th. There is something about that date that must spawn racing genes!

E1’s ambition is to host races in the most iconic coastal cities around the world, and few are more significant than Monaco. There are several synergies between the principality and the Championship, and Monaco is a showcase event in the debut season.
[reference here]

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