LeBron James’ Team AlUla Signs Solvang for E1 Lagos
Team AlUla Championed by LeBron James has signed Andrè Solvang for the upcoming UIM E1 World Championship race in Lagos, Nigeria.
With their regular pilot Rusty Wyatt unable to compete in Lagos due to the forthcoming F1H2O Grand Prix of Shanghai taking place the same weekend, Solvang has been recruited by the E1 team and will line up alongside the Spanish BMW M Racing Academy driver Nerea Martí for the penultimate round of the 2025 E1 season.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | UIM E1 World Championship – Lagos GP |
| Date | 4-5 October, 2025 |
| New Signing | Andrè Solvang |
| Replaces | Rusty Wyatt (competing in F1H2O Shanghai) |
| Teammate | Nerea Martí (Spanish BMW M Racing Academy driver) |
Team AlUla has been working closely with E1 to accelerate his training and licence processes in recent weeks by conducting extra sessions on the water in Italy and Nigeria.
“I’m really excited to make my E1 debut in Lagos” said Solvang. “It’s a huge opportunity and something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. I know I’ve got some big shoes to fill stepping in for Rusty, but I’m ready for the challenge. Team AlUla has shown a lot of ambition and spirit, and I can’t wait to be a part of that and give it my all on the water.”
“Piloting the RaceBird is totally different from my Sharjah Marine F2 hull, not the same contact with the water, and you have to trim OUT IN THE CORNER” continued.
“Totally opposite from what I’m normally used to and for sure it’s going to take some time to get used to, but I’ve done the academy, and of course I’ll learn more as I go when racing in Lagos.”
“Tomorrow we actually have a meeting with the whole team to discuss piloting the RaceBird and different tips etc! So I’m looking forward to that meeting.”
“We’re really pleased to welcome André to Team AlUla for the E1 Lagos GP” said John Marlow, Team AlUla Co-Team Principal. “His proven speed on the water should see him settle into the E1 RaceBird quickly. With Lagos being a brand-new venue for everyone, it levels the playing field and makes for an exciting weekend ahead. After a couple of months away from racing, we’re looking forward to getting back on the water with a strong line-up.”
In the overall standings, Team AlUla is currently sixth – just two points adrift of Westbrook Racing in fifth position. With three top five finishes including one podium result already this season, Team AlUla is eager to break into the top five leaderboard with two rounds and 90 points remaining.
If it happened in powerboat racing during the last forty years the chances are that Chris Davies was there either photographing it or writing about it.
During that time, he has travelled the globe covering both offshore and circuit racing for series promotors, race teams, PR companies, and a whole raft of publications.
