Lagos once again cemented its reputation as a global city of innovation and progress, as it successfully hosted the E1 Lagos Grand Prix — the first-ever electric powerboat race on African waters. The landmark event, held over the weekend of October 4–5, 2025, delivered a perfect blend of competition, sustainability, and spectacle, drawing the attention of the international sporting community.
And at the end of an electrifying weekend on the Lagos Lagoon, it was Team Brazil that emerged champions — claiming their maiden win in the all-electric E1 Series with a near-flawless performance that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
A Historic Win for Team Brazil
Led by ace pilot Timmy Hansen alongside co-pilot Leva Millere-Hagin, Team Brazil dominated from start to finish. They set the tone early with the fastest time in the practice session, topped the qualifying rounds on Saturday, and held off fierce competition in Sunday’s final to take the top spot.
Read: Lagos Makes History as First African City to Host E1 Electric Powerboat Race
Their impressive victory earned them 38 points, bringing their total tally to 89 points in the ongoing championship standings. It was a well-deserved triumph that not only showcased their racing mastery but also underscored the team’s adaptability to the challenging and dynamic conditions of Lagos’ waterways.
In a post-race interview, Hansen described the Lagos GP as an unforgettable experience.
“We came to Lagos and had a fantastic time. It’s important in this race format to get the best starting lane — and we did. I had a brilliant start, and it was smooth sailing from there. The energy from the crowd was incredible,” he said.
Star-Studded Competition and Global Attention
Team Brazil’s victory came against a star-studded lineup featuring Team Blue Rising, owned by Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli, and Team Drogba Global Africa, co-owned by Ivorian football icon Didier Drogba and Gabrielle Lemaire, who finished second and third respectively.
Despite their efforts, heavy favorites Team Brady, led by American NFL legend Tom Brady, and Team Rafa, owned by tennis great Rafael Nadal, both missed out on podium finishes. Team Brady, however, still leads the season standings with 154 points, maintaining a slim three-point edge over Team Rafa, who sits at 151 points.
The E1 Lagos Grand Prix was the penultimate race of the 2025 season, setting the stage for a dramatic finale in Miami next month, where the season champion will finally be crowned.
Lagos Takes the Global Stage
For Lagos, the event was about far more than sport. The E1 Lagos GP positioned the city as a beacon for clean energy innovation and sustainable development. The race featured the RaceBirds — advanced, battery-powered hydrofoil boats that glide above water at speeds nearing 93 km/h — offering zero-emission racing thrills while promoting environmental responsibility.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who attended the event, described the championship as a symbol of Lagos’ forward-thinking vision and its readiness to lead Africa into a greener, technology-driven future.
“Hosting the E1 Series is not just about sports,” Sanwo-Olu said. “It is about innovation, environmental responsibility, and putting Lagos on the global map for future-focused development. This championship reflects our city’s spirit — bold, resilient, and driven by innovation.”
The event also brought a significant boost to Lagos’ economy. Over 300 international visitors — including team owners, athletes, engineers, and media personnel — converged on Victoria Island, filling hotels and energizing local businesses. Lagos Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotosho, noted that the success of the E1 GP means it could now become a permanent fixture on the city’s sporting calendar.
“It’s more than a race,” Omotosho said. “It’s about Lagos joining the global conversation on clean energy and sustainability. The world can now see that Lagos isn’t just talking about innovation — we’re living it.”
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A Defining Moment for African Motorsport
E1 Founder and CEO Rodi Basso called the Lagos event a “defining moment for motorsport in Africa”, noting that the success of the race proved that the continent is ready to host major global events built around sustainability and technology.
Beyond the roaring engines and electric thrills, the E1 Lagos Grand Prix carried a deeper message — that Africa’s biggest city can balance environmental consciousness with economic opportunity.
As the boats cut across the shimmering waters of the Lagos Lagoon, the city’s skyline formed a fitting backdrop — a symbol of transformation, ambition, and a new chapter for African sport.
For Team Brazil, it was victory. For Lagos, it was history.
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