When Chris spoke to Erik

Firstly congratulations on securing your F1H2O seat at Team Abu Dhabi, your potential race calendar is looking rather full, you must be pleased?

Thank you very much. The decision process has been going on for a while so it feels good that its finally official.

You have a fellow countryman as one of your teammates in the shape of Jonas Andersson, how do you think that will shape the team dynamic?

It will be amazing; Jonas is one of my best friends in life so to be able to race with him again but this time in the iconic team of Abu Dhabi has to be a dream come true.

You made your F1H2O debut with Jonas back in 2012 with Team Sweden at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Then after the Sharjah Grand Prix you switched back to F2. What changed your mind about F1H2O at that point?

We used those two races to get an idea of what you need to be competitive in F1H2O. We knew our team members were very capable of stepping up but what came as a shock was just how much more money you needed compared to F2 especially for the F1 engine bills.

Back to E1, and the Sierra Racing Club have been making lots of news just lately. First, Thibaut Courtois, legendary goalkeeper for La Liga club Real Madrid joins as Co-Owner. Then Kyle Kuzma, the American NBA player from the Milwaukee Bucks joins as Co-Owner and Global Brand Ambassador, how do you think their involvement will change the team?

It’s two huge names both top sporting athletes from different arenas. So together I’m sure we can share their knowledge. I can’t wait to meet them both in Como and see what their plans are for the Sierra Racing Club’s future.

How did you rate your performance at the E1 Jeddah GP?

Qualifying went particularly well and generally speaking I’m happy with our first race. Compared to last year which wasn’t great I’m very positive about 2026.

After the chequered flag Team AlUla Championed by LeBron James were promoted to third place after you received a penalty for what the Race Officials deemed to be an ‘overtaking infringement’ which dropped you down to fifth. Harsh decision? What’s your view on this as in every form of circuit racing there’s contact plus nobody crashed out.

There’s not much to say, having watched the replay yes for sure we were on the limit. Sometimes though I think E1 is interfering a little too much with penalties, just let us race. But for sure it was great fun battling with my big friend Rusty Wyatt, maybe they should come and watch F1H2O.

Northern Italy next up and it must feel almost like home waters with the amount of circuit races you have competed in there?

Yes, over the years I have raced a lot of there, including Brindisi, Cagliari, Milan and Olbia. Plus we regularly head to San Nazzaro where Team Abu Dhabi have their testing facility there.

A big open lake, potentially rough water, is this a tough course to master?

I remember last year it was a small tight course but as you say it can be very rough water there. But it’s same for everyone and the RaceBirds we run are pretty much the same for each other.

For several years now powerboat racing has needed a ‘Drive to Survive’ style programme to catapult it into the public domain. Less action and more behind the scenes, in your face when you are having a bad day in the ‘office’ should E1 go that route?

I have heard rumours that E1 are working on something like that.

Are you looking forward to seeing Catie Munnings back on the water?

For sure! Catie is amazing. She was with us in Jeddah and helped where she could. It will be our first real race together and I’m really looking forward to it. Have a really good feeling about our team this year.

Finally, ABBA on your playlist, really?

Haha yes! And Westlife!