- E1’s RaceBird made its first public appearance at the Salone Nautico Venezia 2022
- The Venice Racing Team, the first official entry set to compete in the UIM E1 World Championship, announced Gianluca Carli as their first pilot
- Cara Delevingne, British model, actress and eco-activist, piloted the electric foiling raceboat at a Gala Dinner hosted at the San Clemente Palace Kempinski
E1 had an action-packed week at the 2022 Salone Nautico Venezia, held from May 28 to June 5. In the stunning setting of the water city’s Arsenale, the UIM E1 World Championship cemented its position as a pioneering new sporting property with the potential to accelerate the electrification of the marine industry.
The exhibition at the Salone marked the RaceBird’s public debut. Yachting enthusiasts and racing fans flocked to the stand to see the electric foiling boat that will compete in the inaugural racing season in 2023. Thousands were also able to see the RaceBird running tests against the iconic city backdrop of Venice.
The Venice Racing Team, born from the vision of entrepreneur Francesco Pannoli, is also taking shape. At the helm will be the young Venetian talent Gianluca Carli, born in 1990, who has raced in the most important championships worldwide and is considered to be one the best powerboat drivers on the international circuit. In 2021, Carli was the winner of the 69th Pavia-Venice Raid.
At the helm will be the young Venetian talent Gianluca Carli, born in 1990, who has raced in the most important championships worldwide and is considered one the best powerboat drivers on the international circuit. In 2021, Carli was the winner of the 69th Pavia-Venice Raid.
“Venice, in this sense, is a key place. It is the oldest innovative city in the world, the ideal place to celebrate the values of sport, technology, and sustainability,” says Alejandro Agag, Co-Founder & Chairman of E1.
Venice, which is working to become the ‘world capital of sustainability’ with its involvement in this project, has the opportunity to become a reference point in the landscape of ecological transition by intensifying the commitment of the city and its different socioeconomic components.
Naval Art has returned home and for the third consecutive edition, the Venice Boat Show was the place where tradition and innovation demonstrated their ability to coexist with the aim of boosting one of the strategic sectors for the economy of the entire country. The E1 Series, which is a concrete example of sustainability applied to sport, is rightfully part of this project. Venice, the oldest city of the future and a laboratory for new experimentation, is ready to work with Alejandro Agag and Rodi Basso to organise the world’s first E1 Series race in the city.
Venice Mayor Luigi BrugnaroA high point of the week was when British model, actress and eco-activist Cara Delevingne piloted the RaceBird at a special Gala Dinner event hosted at the San Clemente Palace Kempinski.
Decked out in a custom-made E1 pilot suit, Cara turned her hand to the foiling raceboat, guided by experienced powerboat champion Luca Ferrari. A sailor since childhood and a keen racing fan, she was as adept at handling the boat as she was at striking a pose on top of the cockpit.
The philosophy behind the UIM E1 World Championship resonates with me extremely closely; I’m an environmental activist and I think what the E1 Series is trying to do will inspire the world. There’s so much pollution in oceans, rivers and lakes and this is a great way to do something about it. The RaceBird is engineering art and I think that the excitement the championship will generate will really help shine a light on the climate crisis. Bring on the first race!
Cara DelevingneRodi Basso, Co-Founder & CEO of E1, said: “This marks the beginning of what I hope will be a longstanding and fruitful partnership between the UIM E1 World Championship and the City of Venice. The RaceBird looks incredibly futuristic racing against the Venetian skyline and I think showcasing it at such an iconic venue was a perfect opportunity to introduce this audience to the championship.
“We had so many important guests visit the RaceBird during the week but, for me, the best part was seeing children’s faces light up when they came to our interactive stand. E1 is looking to the future to restore and protect marine ecosystems and seeing their curiosity gives me hope that we can engage a new generation of fans and shine a light on these issues.”
The static RaceBird model is scheduled to make its UK public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed Future Lab from June 23 to June 26.