E1 launches Blue Impact Championship

The pioneering UIM (Union Internationale Motonautique) E1 World Championship, the world’s first all-electric raceboat series, has unveiled the E1 Blue Impact Championship. The new sustainability-focused league table will challenge Championship teams to drive positive impact by mobilising society to reverse effects on ocean and aquatic ecosystems.

The E1 Blue Impact Championship forms part of its Blue Impact Programme, in which the racing Championship collaborates with host cities, partners, NGOs and scientists to address coastal habitat issues through knowledge transfer meetings, panels and workshops.

The initiative, which is being trailed this season before rolling out in season two, will see the Championship’s nine teams, owned by high-profile celebrities including Will Smith, Tom Brady, and Rafael Nadal, compete in a race to become the E1 Impact Champion.

To climb the rankings, teams must take action in a bid to secure a blue future through activations such as support for aquatic conservation and restoration programmes and helping advance research and technology to protect marine habitats.

At the end of each season, beginning with the current season, fans will vote for the team to be named Blue Impact Champion. These votes, which account for a third of the total score, will be supplemented with the votes of an expert jury, made up of renowned ocean scientists and conservationists, who will account for the remainder of the score.

Below the surface of E1’s adrenaline fuelled electric racing series lies a vision to restore and protect coastal waters and ecosystems through cutting-edge clean technologies and proactive aquatic regeneration.

Rodi Basso, CEO at E1 said, “The launch of the E1 Blue Impact Championship underlines our commitment to our sustainability vision. Teams will be required to channel their competitive spirit for the good of our planet and take E1 far beyond just a sports and entertainment proposition.

“This vision was a significant contributing factor as to why our celebrity owners entered the Championship, so we’re delighted to provide them with an innovative platform that facilitates action and impact.”

Professor Carlos M. Duarte, E1 Chief Scientist and E1 Blue Impact Champions Committee Chair, “E1 has environmental impact as part of its DNA. From its inception, we have balanced the need for speed with the needs of the planet.

“The launch of the E1 Blue Impact Championship provides a blueprint and pathway for each of our participating teams to become active partners in our mission, and for them to be acknowledged for their innovations and inventiveness in supporting appropriate initiatives. It’s an exciting challenge for both us and the teams and provides a new and progressive arena in which to compete.”

The E1 Impact Championship now comes into force as the series charges up for its next showcase race in the home of motorsport, Monaco.