On Friday, there was free practice, followed by qualifying. Each driver had to complete a timed flying lap, and the ranking was determined by the average of the two crew members’ times. After this, the top five and bottom four teams competed in two qualifying races to determine the starting order for the following day.
However, this session was marked by an unprecedented event: a high-speed collision involving Team Rafa, driven by the Frenchman Tom Chiappe, and the Brazilian team Claure Group. This collision caused significant damage to Team Rafa’s RaceBird and resulted in the first red-flag interruption in E1 history. Fortunately, Tom Chiappe and his co-driver Cris Lazaraga escaped unhurt.
On Sunday, the tension reached its peak… Cheered on by H.S.H. Prince Albert II, President of the Yacht Club de Monaco, as well as Tom Brady, LeBron James, Marc Anthony, Didier Drogba, Rafael Nadal, Virat Kohli and Marcel Claure, who had come to support their respective teams, the race was a breathtaking spectacle.
Team Blue Rising, co-led by Virat Kohli and Adi K. Mishra, claimed their first E1 victory in Monaco. Drivers John Peeters (who was voted PIF Pilot of the Race) and Sara Misir received their trophies from Alejandro Agag, the founder and president of the E1 series. Team Brady finished second, just ahead of Team Brazil.
At the heart of the action, the Yacht Club de Monaco’s training centre, La Belle Classe Academy, continues its mission. Last year, Sara Misir, a Blue Rising racer, completed the UIM E1 La Belle Classe Academy programme, showcasing the Y.C.M.’s dedication to nurturing talent in electric motorboating. “We were all thrilled to see Sara win in Monaco. She is exceptionally talented I felt very proud having instructed her training at La Belle Classe Academy”, said James Brooke, Chief Instructor for RYA Training at the Yacht Club de Monaco.
The Yacht Club de Monaco was also satisfied with the participation of five young Indian engineers from Team Sea Sakthi, who are linked to the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge and came to lend their expertise to the Blue Rising team.
Following the Monegasque leg, the overall standings became more competitive. Team Brady is in the lead with 135 points, just one ahead of Team Rafa with 134 points. Aoki Racing Team completes the provisional podium with 125 points. Blue Rising settled into fourth place with 114 points.
The race for the title therefore remains wide open. The next stop for the E1 Series 2025 is: Lagos in October, followed by the final in Miami in November, bringing to a close a season full of twists and turns.
