Team Brazil Wins E1 Lagos GP as Electric Powerboat Racing Makes African Debut
When Lagos hosted the E1 World Championship over the weekend, it wasn’t just about speed and competition. It was about history. Africa’s first-ever electric powerboat race took place on the Lagos Lagoon, bringing a futuristic blend of clean technology, global celebrity teams, and high-stakes racing to Nigeria’s commercial capital.
And at the end of it all, Team Brazil claimed the top spot, marking a significant moment in the rise of sustainable motorsport on the continent.
A First for Africa
The E1 Lagos Grand Prix marked the first time the world’s only all-electric powerboat championship made landfall in Africa. The event, part of the global E1 circuit, transformed the Lagos Lagoon into a racetrack where speed met sustainability.
For Lagos, this was more than just another international event. It was a statement of intent. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu called it “a celebration of innovation and Africa’s readiness to join the clean energy revolution.” The city, already known for its growing reputation as a tech and creative hub, saw the race as an opportunity to showcase its capacity to host high-tech global sporting events.
How the Race Unfolded
Under the tropical Lagos sun, Team Brazil, led by drivers Timmy Hansen and Ieva Millere-Hagin, dominated the course to win the E1 Lagos GP. Their consistency through the heats and finals earned them 38 points, boosting their season total to 89 and keeping them firmly in contention for the overall championship.
They were followed closely by Team Blue Rising, backed by Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli, while Team Drogba Global Africa, representing the Ivorian football icon Didier Drogba, took third place.
Notably absent from the top positions were other celebrity teams such as Team Rafa (Rafael Nadal) and Team Brady (Tom Brady), both of whom faced technical issues that cost them vital points.
The Lagos GP served as the penultimate round of the E1 season, setting the stage for the championship finale in Miami later this year.
Electric Boats, Real Speed
At the heart of E1’s appeal are the RaceBirds, hydrofoil electric powerboats that literally “fly” above water. Designed to reduce drag and improve speed, these boats can hit over 90 km/h, all without producing emissions or noise pollution.
Each boat runs on a 150 kW electric motor and a 35 kWh battery, offering both speed and sustainability in equal measure. It’s the aquatic equivalent of Formula 1, except the roar is replaced by a high-pitched electric hum and a promise of a cleaner future.
For spectators, the Lagos GP offered a glimpse of how technology and entertainment can merge. For engineers and environmental advocates, it showed that even high-performance sports can move toward sustainability.
Why Lagos Matters
Choosing Lagos as Africa’s first E1 host city wasn’t random. The E1 organizers have been clear about their goal to expand into emerging regions that are investing in clean tech and coastal development. Lagos, with its mix of energy, ambition, and access to waterways, fits that profile perfectly.
Hosting the event also aligns with Nigeria’s broader sustainability agenda, which includes transitioning parts of its transport and energy sectors toward renewable alternatives. Beyond the spectacle, Lagos authorities emphasized that the race could boost tourism, local job creation, and international visibility.
But more importantly, it positions Lagos as a city that can stand beside Monaco, Venice, and Jeddah, all previous E1 race hosts in embracing the future of motorsport.
Beyond the Spectacle
While the event was a major success, it also raises some fair questions. Can electric motorsport genuinely deliver environmental impact in countries still struggling with energy access and infrastructure gaps?
Critics point out that while E1 promotes clean technology, the logistics of transporting equipment and teams worldwide still carry a carbon footprint. Others argue that for such innovations to matter in Africa, there must be a deliberate push to connect them with local research, manufacturing, and marine sustainability projects.
Still, few can deny the significance of what happened in Lagos. The E1 Grand Prix wasn’t just a race, it was a signal that Africa is ready to participate in the global conversation about sustainability, innovation, and the future of mobility.
