Cricket star Virat Kohli’s Team Blue Rising wins their first ever E1 race as stars align in Monaco
Virat Kohli’s Team Blue Rising took their first ever victory in front of E1 superstar team owners LeBron James, Tom Brady, Marc Anthony, Didier Drogba, Rafael Nadal and Marcel Claure, who all turned out in force to back their teams today at the E1 Monaco race.
Returning to the glamourous Principality, the UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF, the world’s first all-electric raceboat series, thrilled fans in a day of close racing. The race resulted in Team Blue Rising reigning supreme after fighting off fierce competition from Team Brady in second and Team Brazil by Claure Group in third respectively.
The result means defending champions Team Brady leapfrog Team Rafa back to the top of the Championship table as they bid to defend their ‘Champions of the Water’ crown. Only a single point separates them from Team Rafa on 134 points, nine ahead of Aoki Racing. Blue Rising rise to fourth place on 114 points, promising a close Championship fight.
The drama of the action was accelerated by the star power provided by some of the world’s biggest names in sport in attendance.
A friendly rivalry continues to build between NFL icon Tom Brady, NBA legend LeBron James, King of Clay Rafael Nadal, and African football hero Didier Drogba who were among the big names in Monaco to witness their teams compete in the pioneering Championship.
Team Blue Rising proved too strong for the competition in the Finals amid challenging conditions – securing a surprise win after Team Brady’s dominance in earlier racing sessions. The team’s pilots John Peeters, who was also named PIF Pilot of the Race, and his co-pilot Sara Misir were awarded their winner’s trophy by E1 founder and Chairman Alejandro Agag on the podium.
Race day followed a dramatic qualification on Friday as Team Rafa was involved in a high-speed crash that resulted in heavy damage to Team Rafa’s E1 RaceBird, a red flag and an early end to qualifying – a situation Nadal described as ‘scary’ as he watched on from the sidelines. French pilot Tom Chiappe emerged unscathed and returned to action on Saturday.
“Congratulations to Virat, Adi, John, Sara and the whole team for securing their first ever E1 victory. The racing here in Monaco has been some of the most spectacular E1 has witnessed. The race reflected the storied motorsport heritage of the country with drama and jeopardy at every turn. “Together with our team owners and the Yacht Club de Monaco, we’re building a legacy in the country – redefining racing on water and setting a new precedent in sport.”
Rodi BassoFounder and CEO of E1
The E1 Monaco race was based at the prestigious Yacht Club de Monaco, a hub for eco-responsible yachting and an advocate for more sustainable yachting practices under the visionary leadership of HSH Prince Albert II, President of the Club.
Following the E1 Monaco race, the Championship will dock in Lagos in Nigeria in October ahead of the season finale in Miami in November.
