Driver Magazine - 2025 - issue 1 of 3 - Magazine - Page 44
FROM QATAR, WITH SPEED
WORDS AND IMAGES BY CRAIG RANSON
For most, Qatar is considered nothing more than a 8stop-over9 destination. A number of people I discussed my
travels with questioned my decision to go there, claiming that there is very little to do or see.
But just two days into my travels, as I stood on the Piazza Arabia bridge, looking down into the beautiful crystal
clear waters, with the the St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island hotel standing proudly in the distance I thought to myself,
oh how wrong could they be.
I find myself in one of the most beautiful countries in the world, experiencing one of the newest and most exciting
motorsports on the planet, this was very much a 8pinch me9 moment.
Attending the Visit Qatar E1 Doha Grand Prix on 22nd February 2025 was an incredible experience. When you see
events like this on the TV they look so big and busy but the crowds were nowhere near as large as I expected.
Maybe because the series has not reached its full potential just yet or maybe it9s the fact that the population of
Doha, Qatar is not that huge but whatever the reason, it just made the experience that bit more special and
unique. I felt I was getting that VIP experience even though I was not in attendance in an official or professional
capacity.
Like I was just recently, if you too are learning of the E1 series for the very first time, in brief, here is what you need to know.
The E1 World Championship is a new concept in marine racing with the aim to protect and regenerate coastal waters
through innovative clean technologies and aquatic regeneration. Pioneering a sustainable future in marine sports.
The E1 World Championship is the world9s first all-electric powerboat racing series. Designed to revolutionise marine
motorsport, the championship aims to promote clean technologies that protect marine ecosystems and coastal
communities. The series features the RaceBird, an electric race boat capable of reaching speeds up to 58 miles per hour,
beautifully presented with it9s stunning looks and incredible performance.
And with such an important sustainability message to spread, the E1 Series has another trick up it9s sleeve. One of the
unique aspects of this race series is the involvement of celebrity team owners, adding an extra layer of excitement to the
competition. Not just your average Jo celebrity either, the teams are backed by renowned figures such as NBA superstar
LeBron James (Team AlUla), NFL legend Tom Brady (Team Brady), tennis great Rafael Nadal (Team Rafa), and the Fresh
Prince himself Will Smith (Westbrook Racing).
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