Aoki Racing Team wins in Dubrovnik to take E1 Championship lead
Aoki Racing Team wins in Dubrovnik to take E1 Championship lead
Aoki Racing Team has secured a stunning win for the second time this season as the UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF debuted the E1 Dubrovnik GP, presented by Adriatic Luxury Hotels.
Aoki Racing Team pilot Dani Clos, a former Formula 1 test driver, crossed the finish line first to secure the win with strong support from teammate Mashael Alobaidan. New to the team for 2025, Clos took the chequered flag in a close finish with Team Brady in second and Team AlUla Championed by LeBron James in third which marked the NBA icon’s first-ever podium.
Aoki Racing Team, backed by international superstar DJ Steve Aoki, surged to victory in the Adriatic in front of thousands of fans. It was E1’s third race of the season, taking place for the first time in Croatia, adding another new destination to the Championship calendar.
The victory sees Aoki Racing Team overtake Rafael Nadal’s Team Rafa in the Championship standings as the tennis legend’s outfit could only manage a fourth place finish in the final. The two stand-out teams of the season so far are developing a fascinating rivalry as they bid to be crowned Champions of the Water at the season’s finale in Miami in November.
PIF Pilot of the Race was awarded to Team Brady’s Welsh pilot Sam Coleman for his cool, calm and consistent performance throughout the day, bringing the team back to the podium once again.
Alejandro Agag, E1 co-founder and chairman, said: “It’s wonderful to bring the Championship to Croatia for round three of the 2025 E1 season with the Adriatic waters and historic city of Dubrovnik as a perfect backdrop to the on-water racing. I want to thank all the teams and people who have made this historic E1 race a reality including our partners, teams and supporters.”
Rodi Basso, co-founder and CEO of E1, said: ‘Friends and fans around the world were thrilled by this exciting win from Aoki Racing Team. This is the second win this season for the team and they’ve now widened the gap between them and their nearest rival, tennis legend Rafael Nadal’s Team Rafa. E1 fans today enjoyed the tense drama of the racing. The pilots navigated the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic, pushing the E1 RaceBirds to their limit – it was wonderful to watch.’
E1 now heads to the mid-point of the season with the Championship heading to Italy for the E1 Lake Maggiore GP on June 27 to 28.
