Teams in action during the Visit Qatar E1 Doha GP at The Pearl Qatar.
Doha, Qatar: The significant turnout at the inaugural Visit Qatar E1 Doha GP serves as a clear testament to the sport’s remarkable expansion in the country and the enthusiasm of the populace for water sports, stated Rodi Basso, CEO and co-founder of E1 Series.
Speaking to The Peninsula on the sidelines of the two-day event held recently at The Pearl Qatar, Basso noted more than 20,000 people had signed up to attend the event with two days to its kickoff.
Tennis icon Rafael Nadal’s Team Rafa achieved their inaugural victory in the UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF, as the all-electric race boat series made its debut at the Visit Qatar E1 Doha GP.
“We had about 10,000 people in attendance at the Jeddah leg of the competition, but to have over 20,000 in a city like Doha, which is relatively smaller in size than Jeddah, it is something obviously huge. And the event was a resounding success in all ramifications,” he said.
Basso added that the strategic partnerships with entities like Qatar’s UDC and Visit Qatar contributed massively to the significant milestone. “This region understands the value of innovation and tradition,” he said, praising Qatar’s infrastructure and cultural balance.
In its sophomore season, E1 is already accelerating beyond expectations. After hosting five races across two continents in Season 1, the 2024 calendar expands to seven locations in four continents, with plans to reach 15 races by Season 5.
“We’re in Doha because of its deep connection to the sea,” Basso said, highlighting the region’s historical ties to maritime culture. “Even before oil, this was a place built on water. That heritage resonates with our mission, and we are very happy to be having the event here.”
Basso’s journey to E1 reads like a thriller. An aerospace engineer who cut his teeth at NASA and later transitioned to Formula One with Ferrari, Basso spent 25 years pushing the boundaries of high-tech sports innovation. His expertise in electric propulsion and data intelligence led him to collaborate with McLaren Technologies and Lucid Motors, where he co-developed the battery for Formula E’s second-generation cars. It was during this time that he connected with Alejandro Agag, co-founder of Formula E and now E1.
Rodi Basso, CEO and co-founder of E1 Series.
“Everything started when Alejandro invested in a startup aiming to build a commercial electric foiling boat,” Basso recalls. “Given my background, he asked for help. Within 24 hours, I drafted a strategy for an ‘electric Formula One on water.’”
The duo partnered with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), securing funding in just eight months—a lightning-fast turnaround attributed to E1’s unique proposition: blending motorsport adrenaline with environmental purpose.
E1’s hydrofoil race boats, designed from a “blank sheet,” are a marvel of engineering. Combining technology from motorsport, powerboating, and sailing, the boats glide above water on foils, powered entirely by electric engines. “Nobody had raced foiling electric boats before,” Basso explains. “We had to invent new systems, protocols, and safety standards.”
The result? A sport that’s as much about sustainability as speed. E1’s boats produce zero emissions and minimal noise, aligning with its core mission to promote marine conservation. The championship also partners with marine biologist Carlos Duarte, a world-renowned expert leading E1’s efforts to address ocean ecosystem challenges.
“We’re not just a race—we’re a platform for awareness and solutions,” Basso emphasizes.
E1’s growth isn’t just geographic. The championship boasts a star-studded lineup of team owners, including LeBron James and cricket legend Virat Kohli, whose combined social media reach exceeds 1.1 billion. “Every post by our owners is a promotion for the sport, the locations, and our message,” Basso notes. A recent Kohli post garnered 10 million views in three hours—a testament to E1’s viral potential.
E1’s race format is designed to thrill. Teams compete in mixed-gender pairs, alternating between male and female pilots across sessions. Qualifying combines short, high-speed laps and longer strategic runs, keeping fans on edge. “The strategy is unpredictable,” Basso says. “Teams must balance speed and efficiency—a challenge that mirrors real-world electric vehicle innovation.”
Beyond the races, E1 fosters B2B opportunities and thought leadership. Events feature panels with industry experts and policymakers, including Duarte, who recently won a Nobel-equivalent prize for marine biology.
“We’re building a community around water stewardship,” Basso adds.
E1’s ambitions extend to the Middle East. Basso hints at adding up to three regional races in 2025, citing strong interest from GCC nations.
