Staff Brazil on Sunday clinched victory on the E1 Lagos Grand Prix, Africa’s first-ever electrical powerboat championship, as Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu hailed the occasion as a “daring step for innovation, clear power, and international recognition.”
The race, held on the Victoria Island Lagoon, noticed Staff Brazil’s racers Timmy Hansen and Leva Millere-Hagin triumph after two days of intense competitors that showcased Lagos’ waterways and technical capability.
“Congratulations to Staff Brazil, and to Timmy Hansen and Leva Millere-Hagin, for a well-deserved victory after an thrilling weekend of racing on our waters on the E1 Lagos GP,” Governor Sanwo-Olu said in a post on X.
“Past the competitors, the E1 Lagos GP represented our metropolis’s dedication to innovation, clear power, and sustainable growth.”
He mentioned Lagos had joined cities akin to Monaco, London, and Venice on the worldwide E1 circuit, demonstrating the state’s readiness to compete on the world stage.
Governor thanks Tinubu, residents
Earlier, Governor Sanwo-Olu thanked President Bola Tinubu for his goodwill message and reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to sustainability and the blue financial system.
“I’m pleased with what we achieved this weekend and much more assured in regards to the future we’re constructing for Lagos,” he added.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that the occasion opened on Friday with a vibrant boat regatta, adopted by qualifying trials and high-speed races on Saturday. 1000’s of spectators gathered on the Marina waterfront, cheering as groups demonstrated precision and teamwork.
Within the qualifying session, Staff Rafa, owned by tennis legend Rafael Nadal, secured pole place forward of Staff Brady and Aoki Racing.
Staff Rafa leads the general standings with 136 factors, adopted by Staff Brady on 135 and Aoki Racing with 125.
Staff Brazil, sponsored by the Claure Group, earned 51 factors in Lagos, whereas Staff Blue Rising (114), Westbrook Racing (82), Staff Alula (LeBron James, 79), Staff Drogba World Africa (66), and Staff Miami (32) accomplished the leaderboard.
‘A defining second for Africa’
E1 Founder and CEO Rodi Basso described the Lagos occasion as a defining second for motorsport in Africa.
“The nice and cozy welcome in Lagos has been unbelievable. The eagerness of Nigerians made this historic E1 Lagos GP attainable,” he mentioned.
“Our ambition is to construct a motorsport legacy in Africa—this weekend’s race is just the start.”
African soccer legend Didier Drogba and associate Gabrielle Lemaire, who helped convey the E1 Collection to Africa, attended to help Staff Drogba World Africa.
The E1 Collection, sanctioned by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), is the world’s first all-electric powerboat championship. Launched in 2024, it options hydrofoil-equipped RaceBirds that may attain 50 knots whereas minimising environmental influence.
READ ALSO: E1 Grand Prix: Rafael Nadal’s staff leads Drogba’s, others in Lagos tourney
The 2025 season consists of stops in Jeddah, Doha, Monaco, and Miami, with Lagos marking Africa’s first look on the worldwide calendar.
Mr Sanwo-Olu, who recently spoke on the African Blue Economic system Summit, mentioned internet hosting the E1 GP demonstrated Lagos’ plan to harness its waterways for jobs, innovation, and local weather resilience.
“Internet hosting the E1 Lagos GP has proven how water can encourage sport, leisure, and massive concepts in know-how and sustainability,” he mentioned.
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