Aoki Racing Team, owned by DJ and producer Steve Aoki, took a decisive pole in a dramatic qualifying ahead of tomorrow’s inaugural E1 Luanda GP, the fifth round of the 2026 UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF.

Four-time Jamaican Motor Sports Athlete of the Year and E1 pilot Sara Misir was at the wheel of the team’s all-electric E1 RaceBird for the decisive qualifying run. They edged ahead of Team Drogba Global Africa, owned by African football legend Didier Drogba, and Team Westbrook Racing by Visit Angola, who took third.

Although the Championship arrived in Angola with double reigning champions Team Brady holding a narrow lead in the standings, Aoki earned three valuable Championship points and a lead starting position for tomorrow’s race.

Following Championship points awarded to the top three qualifiers, Brady’s lead is cut to just eight points going into the race.

This weekend Angola joins an illustrious list of locations across four continents that E1 visits in 2026 that includes Lake Como, Monaco and Miami.

The race also underlines Angola’s growing profile on the world sporting stage and its continued investment in sport and sustainable development. It aligns with E1’s mission to advocate for electrified technology adoption to help preserve oceans, lakes and waterways.

Jamie Copas, Chief Executive Officer, E1, said: “Congratulations to Dani Clos and Sara Misir on some excellent teamwork that helped Aoki achieve a dramatic pole ahead of tomorrow’s E1 Luanda GP 2026.

“Angola has provided a fantastic backdrop for qualifying here today and given fans their first taste of electric racing on Southern African waters.

“With the fight at the top of the Championship down to just eight points, everything is set for an exciting race day tomorrow.”

Fans in Africa can catch the action on SuperSport, E1’s YouTube channel and in over 230 territories around the world. For more information, search for ‘where to watch E1'.

Dani Clos (Left) and Sara Misir (Right), Aoki Racing Team, Credit: Getty for E1







Qualifying order

1. Aoki Racing Team

2. Team Drogba Global Africa

3. Westbrook Racing by Visit Angola

4. Team Monaco

5. Team Rafa

6. Team Blue Rising

7. Team Brady

8. Sports.com Predict Team Miami Powered by Magnus

9. Team AlUla championed by LeBron James

10.Sierra Racing Club


Championship standings after qualifying

1. Team Brady – 119

2. Westbrook Racing by Visit Angola – 111

3. Team AlUla championed by LeBron James – 75

4. Aoki Racing Team – 74

5. Team Blue Rising – 64

6. Team Drogba Global Africa – 61

7. Sports.com Predict Team Miami Powered by Magnus – 50

8. Sierra Racing Club – 46

9. Team Monaco – 44

10.Team Rafa – 38


E1 is the world’s first and only all-electric raceboat Championship sanctioned by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), the international governing body for powerboating activities.


The UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF was established to create a new, exciting and competitive on-water racing Championship using electric technologies to focus efforts on innovations that help protect and restore our urban waters and coastal areas.


The Championship sees teams featuring both a male and female pilot. Racing on the water in iconic cities around the world including Jeddah, Monaco, Lake Como, Lagos and Miami, teams are owned by some of the biggest names on the planet.


These already include LeBron James, Will Smith, Marc Anthony and Steve Aoki from the world of entertainment, Rafael Nadal, Tom Brady, Virat Kohli, Thibaut Courtois, Kyle Kuzma and Didier Drogba from the world of sport.


E1 pilots navigate tight and technical circuits behind the wheel of the electric E1 RaceBirds.