Aoki Racing Team has triumphed at the highly-anticipated season opener of the UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF in Jeddah.
The team backed by international superstar DJ Steve Aoki, surged to victory on the Red Sea in front of thousands of excited fans in E1’s season opener to establish an early Championship lead.
The E1 Jeddah GP saw nine teams compete in a day of captivating foil-to-foil racing that culminated in Aoki Racing Team’s first ever E1 win. The victory marks a stunning comeback for the team after a difficult 2024 season which saw them finish down in eighth overall in the final Championship standings.
They return home with maximum points after fending off fierce competition from Rafael Nadal’s Team Rafa who finished in second place and Virat Kohli’s Team Blue Rising who secured their maiden podium in third.
Aoki Racing Team pilot and Saudi native Mashael Alobaidan – the country’s first-ever female rally driver – thrilled the home fans with her best performance in a RaceBird to date. Alongside her teammate Dani Clos, a former Formula 1 test driver and new to the team for 2025, they proved too strong leaving the rest of the field in their wake.
Speaking after the race, Alobaidan described the win as “the best of her career so far” in an incredible change in fortunes for the pilot.
Steve Aoki, E1 team owner said “Last year, I think we placed last or close to last. So it just goes to show the underdog has a chance when you have determination, passion, and love for the sport. “We came together and we retooled everything we possibly could, we put our heart and determination into it, and just to see this all happening right here, right now, winning this one, it’s just a dream come true.”
Reigning ‘Champions of the Water” Team Brady fell short in the Finals – setting the stage for a highly-competitive 2025 season which will leave the rest of the fleet dreaming of silverware.
Eric Stark, the Swedish pilot from Team Miami powered by Magnus, set the fastest lap of the day to secure an additional point for his team.
Rodi Basso, CEO & Co-founder of E1 said “We are excited to be back here again in Saudi Arabia for the E1 Jeddah GP for the start of the 2025 UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF. “Fans have seen a thrilling racing spectacle this weekend here on the Red Sea. The level of competition and drama reached new heights today as the team pilots pushed the RaceBird to its limits. “Our collaboration with the Ministry of Sport and Saudi Water Sports and Diving Federation continues to go from strength to strength as we build on our shared vision to accelerate the electrification of sport and marine mobility. “We now set our sights on the next race at the Visit Qatar E1 Doha GP – a landmark milestone in E1’s expansion in the Middle East.”
E1’s 2025 season will anchor in iconic coastal destinations including Monaco, Lake Como and a season finale in Miami which will mark the Championship’s debut in North America.
The Championship now heads to Qatar for the Visit Qatar E1 Doha GP weekend which starts on February 21.
