Against the striking skyline of Victoria Island’s modern high-rises, Team Brazil secured a landmark first-place finish at Lagos‘ debut E1 powerboat race, marking the championship’s first-ever event on African soil.
The Sunday race drew nine teams competing in E1’s innovative “Racebirds” electric powerboats, with pilots Ieva Millere-Hagin and Matteo Vargas steering Team Brazil to victory from pole position.
“This win in Lagos for Team Brazil is very important. It’s the best result so far in the season. So it’s amazing,” Millere-Hagin said following the triumph.
Attendees praised the event’s seamless organisation, a notable departure from Lagos’s reputation for traffic congestion. Racing along a scenic stretch of lagoon waterway, the championship showcased the city’s emerging status as a world-class venue.
“It was a very successful event, especially considering the usual conditions in Lagos—traffic, chaos, the population alone,” said race visitor Sinead Keri. “But it was very well executed. Everything was professionally done. There wasn’t a hassle getting here. It was very enjoyable.”
The event’s arrival in Lagos was largely driven by former Chelsea and Ivory Coast football legend Didier Drogba, who lobbied both race organizers and Nigerian officials to bring the championship to the city. His Team Drogba Global Africa finished third on the podium.
E1 series director John Williams credited Drogba’s passion for making the African debut possible.
“Incredibly important to us to bring a race to Africa,” Williams said. “Didier is one of our team owners, and he was very passionate about bringing the race. It’s enormous for us to bring the technology and messages about sustainability to Africa. We’ve been welcomed so unbelievably well here in Lagos, and we want to do many more races here going forward.”
Drogba joins an elite roster of sports stars investing in E1, including NFL legend Tom Brady, cricket icon Virat Kohli, and tennis champion Rafael Nadal—all team owners in the championship.
“Lagos has been an amazing city to host us,” said Team Brazil’s Matteo Vargas. “Lagos reminds me of home away from home.”
Despite their Lagos victory, Team Brazil sits seventh in the overall standings with 89 points. Team Brady leads the championship with 154 points, followed by Team Rafa at 151 and Team Blue Rising at 145. Team Drogba currently holds sixth place with 90 points.
The season concludes with one final race in Miami.
Lagos Race Results:
Team Miami powered by Magnus: 7 points
Team Brazil by Claure Group: 41 points
Team Blue Rising: 31 points
Team Drogba: 24 points
Team Brady: 19 points
Team Rafa: 17 points
Westbrook Racing: 13 points
Aoki Racing Team: 9 points
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