Rafael Nadal’s Team Rafa secured a sensational first UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF victory in Doha, moving them into the overall championship lead. Team Rafa’s pilots Cris Lazarraga and Tom Chiappe had looked competitive all weekend long but, going into the final races, it was reigning champions Team Brady who were favourites for the victory. However, a magnificent final race secured a historic win for the tennis ace’s team, in what was an action-packed event.
Disaster for podium contenders Team Blue Rising
Having been impressive in qualifying – ending up second fastest – it looked like a second consecutive podium of the year could be on the cards for Indian professional cricketer Virat Kohli’s team, Team Blue Rising in Doha. But on Saturday’s race day, things quickly went awry.
Team Blue Rising’s Sara Misir had a clean group race on her way to second place, but when it was team-mate John Peeters’s turn, he picked up a long lap penalty for impeding Team Brazil by Claure Group at the start. It initially looked like that penalty had put Peeters right out of contention, but a strong recovery meant he was able to cross the line behind Aoki Racing to finish second, ensuring Team Blue Rising had a spot in the Race Off.
The Race Off was initially delayed due to an issue for the Westbrook Racing machine owned by Hollywood legend Will Smith (who was in attendance in Doha). But when the Race Off did eventually get under way, there was no shortage of drama.
On the opening lap the race was red-flagged after Team Brazil’s Timmy Hansen collided with a smart mark that ended up getting tangled up with his race bird, ending his participation in the race.
And when the race restarted there was yet more action when Team Blue Rising found themselves in a battle with Team Drogba for second. Unfortunately for Misir, she went the wrong side of a smart mark and was later disqualified, ending all hopes the team had of making it to the final for the second time in 2025.
There was some consolation for Team Blue Rising though, with Peeters beating the Le Bron James-owned Team Miami powered by Magnus race bird to win the place race.
Team Rafa springs a last-minute surprise in Doha
Team Brady’s Emma Kimilainen made a real statement of intent in the first final race (which decided the starting lanes for the second). She slotted straight into first position in the opening corners and never looked back, taking a commanding victory ahead of Team Rafa.
That dominance in the penultimate race of the day meant Team Brady looked to be the favourites for the overall win in Doha, but Team Rafa were eagerly waiting in the wings, ready to upset the party.
In the second final, Lazarraga had a great start to dive up the inside of Team Brady’s Sam Coleman at the opening turn. And once in front she moved clear, taking full control of the race to win by over 14 seconds.
“Vamos! Vamos!” Lazarraga shouted as she crossed the line.
“Since the last year we’ve been looking for this win,” she said. “We have been building [towards] this race since the last year. It’s not only about this weekend and I want to say thank you to Tom, to Phillipe [Chappe, Team Rafa sporting director], to all the team because this win without them, it wouldn’t have been possible.”
Team Rafa’s victory in Doha means they now lead the championship, holding a three-point advantage over Team Aoki Racing going into the next round.
That first-turn battle with Lazarraga in the second final completely upset the rhythm of Team Brady’s pilot Coleman and although he crossed the line in third, he was soon demoted to last after Team Brady were hit with a 20-second penalty for hitting a smart mark.
Team Aoki – winners last time out in Jeddah – finished second to continue their strong start to the season, while Team Drogba’s Oban Duncan and Micah James Wilkinson (who was making his debut in Doha) put together a solid performance to complete the podium.
Final Race
- Team Rafa (Cristina Lazarraga/Tom Chiappe)
- Aoki Racing Team (Mashael Alobaidan/Dani Clos)
- Team Drogba (Oban Duncan/Yousef Al-Abdulrazzaq)
- Westbrook Racing (Sara Price/Lucas Ordonez)
- Team Brady (Emma Kimilainen/Sam Coleman)
Place Race
6. Team Blue Rising (Sara Misir/John Peeters)
7. Team AlUla Championed by LeBron James (Catie Munnings/Rusty Wyatt)
8. Team Miami powered by Magnus (Anna Glennon/Erik Stark)
9. Team Brazil by Claure Group (Marit Stromoy/Timmy Hansen)
