E1 Series: Race abandoned following damage at the Grand Prix in Dubrovnik
David Ingelfinger
· 15.06.2026
The UIM E1 World Championship held its third Grand Prix against the historic backdrop of Dubrovnik. Ten teams competed against one another in their electric RaceBirds on the challenging circuit under difficult conditions. At the same time, the “Blue Economy Summit” held on site focused on strategies for creating a climate-neutral future.
First pole position for Westbrook Racing
Angola Westbrook Racing, led by Hollywood actor Will Smith, secured a strong starting position as early as Friday’s qualifying session. Spanish driver Lucas Ordóñez and his American team-mate Sara Price clinched the team’s first pole position in difficult weather conditions. Second and third places went to Team Brady and Team Aoki Racing. This meant they secured extra points for the overall standings even before the actual race. Ahead of Saturday’s race day, just 17 points separated the top four teams.
Difficult conditions due to strong winds
On Saturday, conditions off the coast of Dubrovnik’s old town became even more challenging. Strong winds and a heavy swell made it difficult for the pilots to get into foiling mode, meaning they often had to veer off their ideal line. Whilst Westbrook Racing made it through the group stage unscathed, Team Drogba Global Africa were eliminated early on. Following a strong first heat by New Zealander Micah Wilkinson, his Spanish teammate Tara Pacheco was disqualified for dangerous driving. Meanwhile, Team Brady, led by NFL icon Tom Brady, secured their place in the final round with two wins in the heats.
Red flag following damage to a boat in the final
The final races of the E1 Series turned into a closely fought battle between the title favourites. The first race was won by Finland’s Emma Kimiläinen for Team Brady with a start-to-finish victory. However, the decisive second final race had to be interrupted following serious damage, in which the bow of Timmy Hansen’s (Team Miami) boat was torn off after a collision with a wave.
After the restart, Lucas Ordóñez secured overall victory for Westbrook Racing They took the title, relegating Team Brady and LeBron James’ Team AlUla to second and third place respectively. With this second consecutive victory, the team has extended its lead at the top of the championship to 12 points, ahead of the series’ visit to Monaco next month. Here is the current score.
Fan zone and sustainability summit in the Old Town
This is only the second time that the still-young racing series is making a guest appearance in Dubrovnik. The Grand Prix is a real highlight. With the paddock situated right in the old town in front of the historic castle, spectators can get very close to the action free of charge. A fan zone has also been set up, featuring a RaceBird show boat and offering simulation experiences.
Alongside the sporting events, the “Dubrovnik Blue Economy Summit” took place on Friday. As part of this conference, held on the fringes of the E1 Series, representatives of the Croatian government and industry leaders discussed electric racing. This is intended to serve as a model for the transition to electric propulsion in the maritime sector.
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David Ingelfinger
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