E1 powerboat championship makes African debut in Lagos

VIDEO SHOWS: POWERBOAT PILOTS RACING IN LAGOS / E1 SERIES FOUNDER, RODI BASSO DISCUSSING EVENT / SPECTATORS WATCHING RACE / SOUNDBITES FROM GUESTS. SHOWS: LAGOS, NIGERIA (OCTOBER 4, 2025) (REUTERS – Access All) 1. VARIOUS OF POWERBOAT PILOTS RACING 2. MARKER BUOY READING (English): ‘’E1’’ LAGOS, NIGERIA (OCTOBER 2, 2025) (REUTERS – Access All) 3. VARIOUS OF E1 SERIES FOUNDER, RODI BASSO 4. INSCRIPTION ON BASSO’S SHIRT READING (English): ‘’E1, BOSS’’ 5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) E1 SERIES FOUNDER, RODI BASSO, SAYING:      ‘’We are incredibly pleased to move from two continents to four continents in season 2, and adding Africa in our map. Lagos is very important to us. From the very first time we were interacting with the local stakeholders, we understood the energy, the drive for a change, the drive for an evolution, and how much this city cares about the future in terms of sustainability, tourism, technology and so on.’’ LAGOS, NIGERIA (OCTOBER 4, 2025) (REUTERS – Access All) 6. BODY OF WATER 7. VARIOUS OF POWERBOAT PILOTS RACING LAGOS, NIGERIA (OCTOBER 2, 2025) (REUTERS – Access All) 8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) E1 SERIES FOUNDER, RODI BASSO, SAYING:      ‘’Lagos will be…you know, the road to Miami, so let’s see what’s gonna happen, I am sure there will be a very fierce competition, lots of action on the water because the team will want to come to Miami and try to win the championship for season 2.’’ LAGOS, NIGERIA (OCTOBER 4, 2025) (REUTERS – Access All) 9. GUESTS SEATED UNDER A CANOPY 10. VARIOUS OF MAN TAKING PHOTOS OF POWERBOAT PILOTS 11. (SOUNDBITE) (English) GUEST, TADE ADEKUNLE, SAYING:      ‘’It’s been a wonderful experience, I’ve not seen this kind of water race before, I have seen Formula 1, I have seen professional golfers, but this is my first experience with the water something and it’s been a wonderful experience for me.’’ 12. GUESTS SITTING AND WATCHING THE RACE 13. POWERBOAT PILOTS RACING 14. GUEST WATCHING 15. (SOUNDBITE) (English) GUEST, SANDRA CHIOMA, SAYING:       ‘’It is amazing to see that Lagosians can enjoy this kind of sports and Lagos state is doing a fantastic job at enhancing this side of tourism in Lagos, Nigeria, I mean a lot of people turned up and it’s fun.’’ 16. VARIOUS OF BANNER WITH PICTURES OF POWERBOAT PILOTS LAGOS, NIGERIA (OCTOBER 2, 2025) (REUTERS – Access All) 17. (SOUNDBITE) (English) E1 SERIES FOUNDER, RODI BASSO, SAYING:      ‘’Their reach is compelling and at the stage of organization, having the followership through them that we can see from our KPI’s, it is an amazing opportunity, and it is like an insurance for the growth of the championship in the near future.’’ LAGOS, NIGERIA (OCTOBER 4, 2025) (REUTERS – Access All) 18. POWERBOAT PILOT ENTERING HIS BOAT 19. MAN ASSISTING TO STEER A BOAT / BOAT RACING OFF STORY:     The E1 World Championship, the world's first all-electric powerboat racing series, made its African debut in Lagos on Saturday (October 4), marking a milestone in its global expansion.     The penultimate round of Season Two brings the series to its fourth continent. Lagos was chosen for its "energy, drive for change, and alignment with E1's values of sustainability, tourism and technology," CEO Rodi Basso told Reuters.     E1 plans to expand to 12 teams from nine and increase the number of races to 15 from seven. The championship is seeking 20 million euros ($23.48 million) of fresh capital and is targeting a valuation of 500 million euros by 2030. Talks with investors, including several high-net-worth individuals, are ongoing, Basso said.      On the water, Team Rafa reclaimed the championship lead from Team Brady by a single point after finishing second in Saturday's qualifying race.          Team Brady is owned by National Football League legend Tom Brady and Team Rafa is associated with tennis star Rafael Nadal. Brady's team was hampered by technical issues.      "Lagos will be the road to Miami," Basso said, referring to the season finale.     Spectators welcomed the event. "It's been a wonderful experience,” said Tade Adekunle, who works in marketing. "I've never seen this kind of water race before. The crowd turnout was massive."     Sandra Chioma, a programme manager, praised the event's impact on tourism. "It's amazing to see Lagosians enjoy this sport. Lagos State is doing a fantastic job. I'll definitely attend again."     E1's RaceBird boats use zero-emission electric propulsion and foil technology to reduce environmental impact. The series also supports coastal conservation and marine research, said Basso.      Celebrity owners including basketball great LeBron James and Ivorian former soccer player Didier Drogba are helping drive global visibility. "Their reach is compelling," Basso said. "It's an insurance for growth."     The event marks a significant expansion for the championship, which is bringing sustainable motorsport to new audiences across the globe. (Production: Seun Sanni, Angela Ukomadu)

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