Young Electric Boat Racing League E1 continues to expand its lineup of race teams as it approaches its second UIM E1 World Championship Season in 2025. Several big names in sports and entertainment signed on for season 1, but this next Championship series includes a new name – LeBron James, who will lead Team AlUla.
As you may or may not know, the UIM E1 World Championship is a new electric racing boat series first announced in 2022. It kicked off its inaugural season in February 2024 with the Jeddah GP, held in Saudi Arabia.
Since its inception, E1 co-founders Rodi Basso and Alejandro Agag have put together an impressive roster of team owners and continue to grow the league to draw more attention to sustainable motorsport and deliver stiffer competition.
Before season 1 of the UIM E1 World Championship Series, several familiar names joined as team owners, including Formula 1 veteran Sergio Perez, superstar DJ Steve Aoki, musician Mark Anthony, and, most recently, Will Smith.
Additional teams are owned by sports legends like Rafael Nadal, Didier Drogba, and the NFL’s Tom Brady, whose team won the inaugural electric boat racing championship this past November. Today, E1 has announced a new team ahead of season 2, and it’s another world-renowned professional athlete who knows how to win – LeBron James.
LeBron James to lead Team AlUla in E1’s second season
The E1 Series shared news of LeBron James joining as its latest team owner this morning, mere days before the nascent electric boat racing league kicks off its second season once again in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. That venue is fitting, considering LeBron James will lead a new squad called Team AlUla.
“AlUla” comes from an ancient oasis city in Saudi Arabia by the same name that is home to Hegra, the Kingdom’s first UNESCO World Heritage site. James’ new team will be piloted by racers Rusty Wyatt and Catie Munnings. The sure-fire NBA hall of famer spoke about becoming the latest E1 racing team owner:
As a lifelong fan of sports and competition, the opportunity to own an E1 team that represents such a high level of innovation in sports is incredibly exciting, E1 is a new type of global competition that’s revolutionizing water racing and I’m proud to be at the forefront of its expansion in season two.
Per E1, James has support from Co-Team Principals John Marlow and Barny Whitwham, who have a combined 30 years of experience working in commercial and technical roles in FIA Formula 1 and World Rally Championship motorsport teams.
Keep an eye out for LeBron James and Team AlUla competing in the Racebird seen above during season two of the UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF. Racing kicks off this Saturday, January 25, during the Jeddah GP. Here’s the 2025 E1 race calendar as it currently stands:
- January 24-25: E1 Jeddah GP
- February 21-22: Visit Qatar E1 Doha GP
- TBA
- July 18-19: E1 Monaco
- August 22-23: E1 Lake Como GP
- TBA
- November 7-8: E1 Championship, Miami
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