• Al Obaidan, who made history by winning the E1 Jeddah GP 2025, signs for Virat Kohli’s Team Blue Rising
• Friday at the season-opening E1 Jeddah GP 2026 was dedicated to qualifying as Team Brady topped the standings
• Saturday’s race will showcase high-octane, sustainable racing, with tickets available via webook.com

The Jeddah Corniche has been transformed into a spectacle of exhilarating racing as the UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF – the world’s only all-electric raceboat series – kicked off its biggest season yet with a thrilling day of qualifying.

Jeddah is a vital part of E1’s journey, hosting the opening race in each of the championship’s first three years and setting a high benchmark for the rest of the globe-trotting calendar.

Qualifying for the E1 Jeddah GP 2026 saw a record 10 teams take to the Red Sea to race the championship’s cutting-edge electric RaceBirds, with defending series champions Team Brady earning Top Qualifier and three points. Aoki Racing placed runner-up and claimed two points, while Team Rafa took third place and earned one point.

It was a riveting day that underscored the competitiveness, intensity, and world-class skill that has made E1 one of the most exciting additions to the global racing scene.

And once again, Jeddah is proving the perfect place to set the tone for the season ahead. A lively E1 Fan Zone saw families, friends, and race fans turn out to watch the action on the water, participate in games and activities, and soak up the carnival atmosphere.

Team Brady pilot Emma Kimiläinen said: “I definitely love racing here in Jeddah. Great atmosphere and it's a great challenge. It is challenging and that's why we love it. I think the more you throw at our team, the more we fire up as well. And lastly, there is a lot of support.”

Team Brady pilot Sam Coleman added: “We're really grateful for the support of all the fans here in Jeddah. It's a great event and really good vibes out there as well. So come along and watch us racing tomorrow too. It's going to be a good day and hopefully we can put it on top of the podium again.”

As the 10 teams race for glory in Jeddah on Saturday, last year’s history-making champion Mashael Al Obaidan is waiting patiently for her highly anticipated return to E1. It has been announced that Al Obaidan – Saudi Arabia’s first ever female rally driver – has joined Team Blue Rising, owned by Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli.

Injury unfortunately ruled Al Obaidan out of competing in front of her home fans this weekend, but she is expected to take her place in the RaceBird cockpit for the remainder of the season.

Speaking at the E1 Jeddah GP 2026 press conference, Prince Sultan bin Fahd bin Salman, President of the Saudi Water Sports and Diving Federation, said: “As a federation we will support her fully; she is now a member of the federation’s board. If Mashael is competing, and if she wins, I will be happy. What is important is that the race itself is successful and that Saudi sportsmen and sportswomen are supported across all fields.”

Al Obaidan’s imminent return further strengthens Saudi Arabia’s involvement in E1 and its support of the championship’s mission to drive sustainable innovation in marine sports. In addition to the presence of a Saudi pilot and a Saudi-backed team in Team AlUla championed by LeBron James, the role of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) as the presenting partner is a key factor in E1’s increasing success, both as a world-class sports competition and in its environmental impact.

Alejandro Agag, founder and Chairman of E1, said: “Jeddah holds a special place in our hearts at E1 as our now traditional season opener. Our friends and supporters from the Saudi Watersports and Diving Federation and the Ministry of Sport have once again been incredibly hospitable to us, our teams, and our pilots.

“We’ve already seen an intense battle in qualifying today. Tomorrow’s race is now set to be followed closely by spectators in our E1 Fan Zone and around the world when all eyes will be on the waters here in Jeddah.”

The E1 Jeddah GP 2026 will take place at 16:00 KSA / 14:00 CET on Saturday, 24 January.  Tickets to witness this weekend’s E1 Jeddah GP are available via webook.com.