The 2026 UIM E1 World Championship gets underway this weekend with the season-opening Jeddah GP. The all-electric powerboat racing series returns to the Red Sea on 23 and 24 January, with the event staged at Jeddah Waterfront, where 10 teams will line up for the first round of the year.
The championship, now in its third season, continues to grow in scale and popularity. This year’s Jeddah race features a record number of entries, up from previous seasons, and highlights the expanding global reach of electric boat racing. The teams will compete in identical RaceBird boats, high-performance electric hydrofoils designed to deliver thrilling action on the water.
Among the favourites is Team Brady, the reigning Champions of the Water, who claimed back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025. Sam Coleman and Emma Kimiläinen will again pilot the team’s boat as they begin their title defence.
This year also sees several changes and new additions across the line-up. Aoki Racing Team confirmed Jamaican driver Sara Misir will partner Dani Clos for the season, after Misir’s strong performance in 2025. Meanwhile, Team Blue Rising has announced that American pilot John Peeters will be joined by Saudi racer Mashael Al-Obaidan, who captured attention with her victory in last year’s Jeddah round.
Another highlight for 2026 is the inclusion of two new teams in the championship. Team Monaco and Sierra Racing Club make their E1 debuts, bringing fresh competition and broader international interest to the series.
The Jeddah GP not only marks the start of the racing calendar, but also reflects the growing support for sustainable sport technology, with organisers aiming to showcase electric powerboat racing as a high-performance form of motorsport. The event is organised in collaboration with the Saudi Water Sports and Diving Federation and the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), with backing from the Public Investment Fund.
Fans can expect high stakes and close racing as the global grid prepares to battle for early championship points in Jeddah, setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting and competitive season.
