E1 Championship in Dubrovnik: Clos from Aoki Racing Team triumphs despite penalty

Miquel Clos from the Aoki Racing Team took an impressive victory in the E1 race in Dubrovnik. Despite a "long lap penalty" due to a start line offence, the Spaniard managed to maintain the lead and cross the finish line in first place. The race on the Croatian Adriatic coast marked the third stage of the still young E1 championship and offered the spectators thrilling action on the water.

Perfect start and surprising penalty

Clos got off to the best start of all five participants and went straight to the front of the field. He had already built up a lead before the first real corner. But the joy was short-lived, as race control imposed a penalty on the Spaniard for a start line offence. A decision that initially left Clos stunned. "I was so angry, so upset, because I had the feeling from the inside that I was well on the spot. I even had a head start. When they told me that I would get a penalty, I couldn't believe it," explained the driver after the race.

Thanks to his excellent start, Clos had already pulled out a lead of over ten seconds on his pursuers by the time the penalty was imposed. This enabled him to complete the additional lap and still return to the track in the lead. In second place at this point was Sam Coleman from Team Bradywho had lost valuable time at the start.

Strong race to catch up by Coleman

Sam Coleman, world champion in powerboat racing, put in an impressive performance despite the difficult start. "I didn't know if it was fun or painful because we had the speed but were just stuck," he commented on his race to catch up. In the end, it was enough for second place, which meant important points for the championship.

Outlook for the championship

With his victory in Dubrovnik, Miquel Clos has collected important points for the championship. Team Rafa, which had taken the lead before the race in Croatia, must now fear for its position. The championship remains closely contested and promises more exciting races in the coming stages.

Dubrovnik as a spectacular backdrop

The historic city of Dubrovnik provided a breathtaking backdrop for the E1 race. Spectators along the Adriatic coast were able to watch the ultra-modern electric E1 RaceBirds as they travelled across the water. The event marked an important milestone for the still young racing series, which aims to establish itself as an environmentally friendly alternative in motorboat racing.