The atmosphere is already electric as RaceBird pilots from nine international teams expressed their excitement and readiness to debut powerboat racing, during the official media session on Thursday.

The E1 Series is the world’s first all-electric offshore powerboat championship, showcasing innovation, speed, and sustainability on water.

Since its debut in Jeddah last year, the series has grown into a global spectacle, attracting the involvement of world-renowned icons as team owners and ambassadors.

The championship features some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment, including Tom Brady, Rafael Nadal, LeBron James, Didier Drogba, Virat Kohli, Will Smith, Steve Aoki, and Magnus Greaves. Each of their teams will compete with top tier pilots in Lagos as part of the global race calendar that has already stopped in Jeddah, Doha, Dubrovnik, Lago Maggiore, and Monaco.

Rodi Basso, founder and chief executive officer of E1, described the Lagos GP as a milestone moment for the championship.

He noted that Lagos embodies the energy, creativity, and ambition that aligns perfectly with the vision of E1 to drive clean innovation while positioning the city as a global hub for sport and sustainable development.

Speaking at the session, pilots highlighted their excitement about racing in Nigeria.

Lucas Ordonez of Westbrook Racing, representing Will Smith’s team, said Lagos offers the perfect stage for a thrilling competition, while Team Brady pilots Sam Coleman and Emma Kimilainen reaffirmed their determination to defend their championship lead at this critical stage of the season.

Team Brady currently tops the standings with 135 points, followed closely by Team Rafa with 134, Team Aoki with 125, and Team Blue Rising with 114. With the Lagos GP serving as the penultimate round before the season finale in Miami, the stakes could not be higher.

The E1 Lagos GP, presented by FirstBank, will take place from October 4 to 5 and promises to deliver a spectacular showcase of speed, competition, and entertainment on water.

Speaking at the E1 Lagos GP Stakeholder Immersion Session held in Lagos, Olayinka Ijabiyi, acting group head, Marketing and Corporate Communications at FirstBank, reaffirmed the bank’s dedication to initiatives that foster human development while leaving lasting legacies.

“Our involvement in the E1 Lagos GP is about driving legacy and enabling the passions and aspirations that unite Nigerians. We are a bank that has been in business for over 131 years, and we recognize that sports drive us as a country. Through our First@Sports initiative, we continue to invest in platforms that inspire and elevate our people,” Ijabiyi said.

He noted that FirstBank has consistently supported legacy sporting events such as the Georgian Polo Cup, which the bank has hosted for 105 years, and the Lagos Amateur Open Golf Championship, now in its 64th year.

Aligning with DecemberIssaVybe

With the E1 Lagos GP kicking off the last quarter of the year, FirstBank is aligning the partnership with its annual DecemberIssaVybe campaign, a lifestyle initiative that celebrates Nigeria’s festive spirit through unforgettable cultural, entertainment, and lifestyle experiences.

“As presenting partner, we are creating meaningful touchpoints with customers and prospects, offering them a world-class experience of relaxation and celebration that captures the true essence of Lagos during the festive season,” Ijabiyi added.

Lagos Government Commends Initiative

Also speaking at the event, Gbenga Omotoso, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, praised the championship as a platform that will not only grow sports but also showcase Lagos’s vibrant culture, dynamic people, and global relevance. He commended FirstBank for its continued support.

Global Stars to Compete

The Lagos GP will feature teams owned by global icons such as Tom Brady, LeBron James, Didier Drogba, Will Smith, Marc Anthony, Steve Aoki, and Rafael Nadal. Lagos will host the Africa leg before the season finale in Miami, USA.