The first thing you notice is the sound. Not engines roaring down a straight, but water splitting beneath a hull that never quite touches it. In the sliver of space between sea and sky, a new kind of motorsport has emerged, and it carries the swagger of Formula 1 wrapped in the conscience of a climate summit. This is E1, the electric powerboat series backed by names like Will Smith, Tom Brady and Steve Aoki, a championship built for a world that wants speed without the smoke.
• New electric racing series draws global attention
• Celebrity-backed teams enter the spotlight
• Motorsport meets environmental ambition
In just two seasons, E1 has transformed from a bold idea to a globe-trotting spectacle. Its RaceBirds skim across water at nearly 60 mph, piloted by former F1 drivers, elite athletes and rising talent. With the second season concluding in Miami, cofounder Rodi Basso is already plotting expansion. He wants E1 on every continent, more teams, more races and a wider footprint. Negotiations in Asia and South America are advancing, and Team Monaco is already set to debut in 2026.
• Plans underway for global expansion
• Targeting up to 15 races and 12 teams
• New teams preparing to enter the league
Part of E1’s momentum comes from its investors, a lineup that reads like the guest list of a Hollywood awards show. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund brought early backing, while the team owners span entertainment, sport and global culture. From LeBron James to Rafael Nadal, the talent sees E1 as more than a game. They view it as a project with environmental purpose and commercial potential. Tom Brady’s team even claimed the first championship title, adding to his laundry list of victories.
• Saudi Arabia invests through PIF
• Ownership includes top athletes and artists
• Celebrity teams fuel mainstream visibility
On race weekends, the action unfolds over two intense days. Each team fields two pilots, one male and one female, alternating through practice, qualifying and the final showdown. But racing a foiling electric boat is a different beast entirely. RaceBirds rise above the water at speed, making every shift in current, wind or passing cruise ship a variable that can make or break a lap. The pilots call it flying, but the margin for error is razor thin.
• Mixed-gender teams alternate in competition
• Foiling boats “fly” above the surface
• Water conditions add unpredictable challenges
Yet speed is only half the mission. E1 positions itself as a showcase for ocean sustainability and the future of water mobility. Its founders say their vision is to make conservation culturally irresistible, turning race weekends into celebrations of coastal living and clean technology. In an industry hungry for reinvention, E1 is betting that the path forward isn’t just faster, but cleaner and cooler too.
• Championship promotes marine sustainability
• Focus on blue economy innovation
• Series aims to make eco-friendly tech aspirational
