Team Blue Rising has confirmed John Peeters will continue for a second season, partnering with new signing Mashael Al-Obaidan for the 2026 UIM E1 World Championship.

The team announced the lineup via Instagram on Wednesday afternoon, 24 hours before the season opener in Jeddah. Peeters, who won the Monaco Grand Prix in July 2025, remains as the male pilot. Al-Obaidan joins from Aoki Racing, where she won the Jeddah season opener 12 months ago.

Sara Misir, who partnered Peeters through Season 2, has moved to Aoki Racing alongside Dani Clos.

Peeters’ Proven Performance

John Peeters built his racing credentials in American hydroplane competition before transitioning to electric powerboats. The American driver holds over 26 world records in hydroplane racing, with more than 1,000 race victories across multiple classes.

His hydroplane career included seven consecutive national championships in OSY-400 class. Peeters started racing at age nine, following his father Wayne into the sport. He owns Penway Media, a printing business based in Arlington, Washington.

Peeters competed as a replacement pilot during Season 1 before joining Team Blue Rising full-time for Season 2. His partnership with Sara Misir delivered the team’s breakthrough victory in Monaco, where Peeters was named PIF Pilot of the Race.

That Monaco win demonstrated his ability to perform in challenging conditions. The race featured choppy waters and unpredictable winds, testing every team’s technical capabilities and race strategy.

Al-Obaidan’s Rally Credentials

Mashael Al-Obaidan brings extensive motorsport experience from cross-country rallying. The Saudi driver became her country’s first female rally driver and the first Arab woman to obtain a rally license.

Her rally achievements include competing in the Dakar Rally, finishing third in the FIA World Cup Championship for Cross-Country Bajas, and winning first place in the T3 category at Sharqiyah Rally. She also secured second place in the T3 category at the Hail International Rally.

Al-Obaidan competed in two E1 seasons with Aoki Racing. Season 1 proved difficult, with the team struggling throughout 2024. But Season 2 transformed their fortunes dramatically.

She won the Jeddah season opener in January 2025, her first E1 victory in front of a home crowd. The win came after what she described as placing last or near last in Season 1.

Last year, I think we placed last or close to last. So, it just goes to show the underdog has a chance when you have determination, passion, and love for the sport.

Al-Obaidan followed the Jeddah victory with second place in Doha, leaving Aoki Racing fighting at the top of the championship standings as Season 2 progressed through European rounds.

Team Blue Rising’s Season 2 Progress

Team Blue Rising struggled through Season 1 in 2024 before breaking through with their Monaco victory in July 2025. Peeters and Misir combined for the win, placing the team fourth in the championship standings.

The team is co-owned by Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli and sports technology entrepreneur Adi K. Mishra, founder of League Sports Co. The partnership launched for E1’s inaugural season with a focus on sustainability and marine conservation.

Team Blue Rising’s Instagram announcement emphasized the work behind Season 2’s improvement.

Season 2 wasn’t luck – it was work. Podiums. Our first E1 win. A top-3 finish. We earned every second of it.

The caption introduced Al-Obaidan with recognition of her motorsport background.

Welcome to Team Blue Rising, Mashael Al-Obaidan. A racer who’s built her name the hard way – rally grit, Dakar miles, calm under pressure. She’s here to push our RaceBird harder, cleaner, faster.

Driver Swap With Aoki Racing

The announcement represents a direct driver swap between Team Blue Rising and Aoki Racing. Sara Misir moves to Aoki Racing for Season 3, pairing with Dani Clos.

Al-Obaidan departs Aoki Racing after winning the Season 2 opener in Jeddah and finishing second in Doha. The team currently fights at the top of the championship standings.

The swap brings together two drivers with proven E1 race wins. Peeters won in Monaco. Al-Obaidan won in Jeddah. Both understand what it takes to reach the podium’s top step.

Season 3 Outlook

The 2026 UIM E1 World Championship features eight rounds across four continents. The season opens in Jeddah this weekend before heading to Lake Como in April, Dubrovnik in June, and Monaco in July.

The championship then travels to Lagos, Nigeria, followed by two North American rounds in Miami and a season finale in the Bahamas in November.

Team Blue Rising concluded their announcement with a statement of intent for the season ahead.

Season 3 is going to be relentless. We don’t chase. We lead.

Vision 2030 and Sustainability Alignment

The pairing aligns with Team Blue Rising’s sustainability focus and Al-Obaidan’s professional role. She works at Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment promoting sports investment opportunities, directly supporting the kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiative.

Team Blue Rising was named to draw attention to marine conservation and rising sea levels. The team’s mission emphasizes protecting coastal waters and ecosystems for future generations.

Al-Obaidan studied at Loyola Marymount University in California, where she developed her passion for motorsport and outdoor adventure. She has spoken about using motorsport to advance women’s empowerment and environmental awareness.

Peeters’ technical expertise from decades of hydroplane racing complements Al-Obaidan’s rally experience. Both bring high-speed competition backgrounds to electric powerboat racing’s unique demands.