JEDDAH: Defending world champions Team Brady claimed pole position in a dramatic day of qualification action for the E1 Jeddah GP powerboat race.
Team pilots Emma Kimilainen and Sam Coleman delivered the standout performances in the all-electric E1 RaceBird as they mastered the tight and technical Jeddah circuit to lead the field heading into Saturday’s main race.
The event, set against the backdrop of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, marked the opening weekend of the 2026 UIM E1 World Championship. Ten teams are competing for the Champions of the Water title this year, with the race in Jeddah the first of eight across four continents between now and November.
The teams and pilots were tested by three elimination sessions on Friday in the battle to be the fastest qualifier.
Team Miami and Team Blue Rising were knocked out in the Qualifying Time Trials, but newcomers Team Monaco and Sierra Racing Club both managed to advance to the first qualifier. Monaco’s debut qualifying adventure ended there, as they were eliminated along with Team AlUla. Teams Sierra and Drogba were knocked out in in the second qualifier.
That left four boats to fight for pole position: Westbrook, Rafa, Aoki and Brady. Former NFL star Tom Brady’s team were the favorites after setting the best times in both Q1 and Q2.
On the first run in the pole position showdown, Kimilainen laid down the gauntlet, finishing more than 3 seconds clear of her closest competitor and putting Brady on provisional pole. In the end, it was her first lap that secured the pole position and the three points for top qualifier.
Aoki Racing’s Dani Clos took second place, missing out on top spot by just 1.7 seconds. Team Rafa’s Tom Chiappe looked strong early in his final run but time slipped away from the Frenchman and he had to settle for third-best. Westbrook Racing had been fastest at the start of the day in the initial Qualifying Time Trials, but American Sara Price ultimately brought up the rear in the final, four-way qualifying battle.
“It was a great team effort once again,” Kimilainen said. “Conditions were tricky; the water is sometimes a bit crazy and there are fine margins. I was happy to pull the first lap off and then I was experimenting on the second run.”
Teammate Coleman added: “We are here to fight all season, but we had pole here in Jeddah last year and had a tough race day. We are excited, happy with three points on the board, but tomorrow is going to be a tough day.”
The event marks the return of the UIM E1 World Championship to Saudi Arabia for a third consecutive year and, as usual, there are plenty of events and entertainment away from the circuit to keep fans entertained.
Formula E’s Driving Force presented by PIF 360 offers an educational program that aims to inspire young people between the ages of 8 and 18 to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects, as well as sustainability issues, while connecting the classrooms of the future with electric-vehicle racing.
Alejandro Agag, the founder and chairperson of E1, said: “Jeddah holds a special place in our hearts at E1 as our now-traditional season opener.
“Our friends and supporters from the Saudi Water Sports and Diving Federation and the Ministry of Sport have once again been incredibly hospitable to us, our teams and our pilots.
“We’ve already seen an intense battle in qualifying today. Tomorrow’s race is now set to be followed closely by spectators in our E1 Fan Zone and around the world, when all eyes will be on the waters here in Jeddah.”