Aoki Racing Team took victory in the first race of the 2026 UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF
For the second year in a row, Aoki Racing Team took honours in the opening E1 Jeddah GP 2026 of the season. Their new signing Sara Misir was at the wheel as she beat the competition in Final 2 in order to seal the victory, her second in E1.
It was a race full of drama, as Misir and Team Rafa’s Cris Lazarraga went foil-to-foil heading into the opening corner. There was a slight touch between the two E1 RaceBirds with Misir coming out on top. The Jamaican dominated the remaining six laps to take her first win with Steve Aoki’s team along with teammate Dani Clos. Former F1 test driver Clos had secured the inside for Misir in Final 1.
It feels good! Dani went out there and finished P1 so I knew I had big boots to fill. I went out, kept my head down and tried my hardest.
Sara MisirAoki Racing Team Pilot
I’m in a cloud! I’m a dragon that came from the water to fly into the clouds. This is an amazing place to be, I'm happy with the Aoki Racing Team, happy with everyone around me, this is super special for us.
Dani ClosAoki Racing Team Pilot
Finishing second was the two-time reigning and defending Champions of the Water; Team Brady. Emma Kimiläinen brought their E1 RaceBird home as runners-up, a much better performance compared to last year where she and Sam Coleman ended up fifth.
One of the most impressive moments of the day was Rusty Wyatt’s drive in the Group Stages. The Canadian remarkably took the lead from the outside to book a place directly in the final, the first time Team AlUla championed by LeBron James won a Group Stage race. In the Finals, they went on to finish third, picking up their second E1 podium.
Will Smith’s team Westbrook Racing was hit with a penalty for jumping the start which knocked them out of contention, completing the rest of the final places with Sierra Racing Club and Team Rafa.
Aoki Racing’s performances faded towards the end of last season, but they have hit the ground running in 2026 and will lead the Championship standings when the E1 Championship arrives in Lake Como for the second round of the 2026 season.
