Ieva Millere on Racing, Legacy, and E1 Dreams
Ieva Millere’s E1 racing journey is a testament to her family’s legacy in powerboat racing.
From her grandfather’s boat-building beginnings in 1962 to her own F1000 European Championship wins in 2018 and 2019, Ieva has carved her path in the sport.
Now, she’s gearing up for the E1 series race in Lagos, Nigeria, piloting the innovative RaceBird for Team Brazil. In an exclusive interview with Chris Davies, Ieva shares her transition to Ieva Millere E1 racing, her challenges, and her commitment to honouring her family’s legacy through Motorsport 77.
Ieva Millere’s Journey in E1 RacingIeva Millere’s passion for powerboat racing began in 2014, following in the footsteps of her grandfather, who started building boats in 1962, and her father, who took up racing in 1978. Together, they crafted over 100 raceboats, blending craftsmanship with a love for speed. With her grandfather coaching from the shore, Ieva quickly rose through the ranks, securing the F1000 European Championship in 2018 and 2019. Her success in Ieva Millere E1 racing began with the UIM E1 Pilot Academy, where she tested the electric RaceBird on Lake Maggiore. Learn more about the E1 series (outbound link).Interview with Chris Davies
| Chris Davies | Ieva Millere |
|---|---|
| How did the UIM E1 Pilot Academy shape your approach to Ieva Millere E1 racing? | I applied without knowing what to expect and was thrilled to test the RaceBird at Lake Maggiore. Unlike my past races, **Ieva Millere E1 racing** required analyzing data, not just relying on instinct. Engineers awaited feedback after every run, asking about boat response and performance tweaks. It was a big shift but exciting. Read about my [F1000 Championship journey](https://powerboat.news/f1000-championship-ieva-millere) (internal link). |
| Your Monaco race last season was memorable, especially beating your husband Stefan Hagin! | As a replacement pilot for Team Checo, I raced in Monaco and Lake Como. Stefan challenged me, saying he’d show no mercy, but I finished ahead! Technical issues held us back, but the personal duel was a highlight of my **Ieva Millere E1 racing** experience. Check out the [Monaco race recap](https://powerboat.news/monaco-e1-2024) (internal link). |
| You’re racing for Team Brazil in Lagos due to Marit Strømøy’s F1H2O commitments. How’s the preparation? | Marit’s absence gives me a chance to race in Lagos. We reviewed footage in Monaco, and I’m confident. Team Brazil is strong, and I’m ready for **Ieva Millere E1 racing** in the RaceBird, with Stefan as my radio man. Learn about [Team Brazil’s season](https://www.e1series.com/teams/team-brazil) (outbound link). |
| How much have you tested the RaceBird for the Lagos race? | Lagos is the penultimate 2025 race, and testing has been limited. A Monaco shakedown helped me reconnect with the RaceBird’s unique handling, preparing me for **Ieva Millere E1 racing** in Nigeria. Every lap teaches something new. |
| What’s your role as Project Manager for Motorsport 77? | My dad and I founded Motorsport 77 in 2016 to race and host events in Aizkraukle. I manage logistics and image, while dad handled technical aspects. We’ve hosted Baltic and World Championships. Explore [Motorsport 77’s history](https://powerboat.news/motorsport-77-latvia) (internal link). |
| How did your father’s passing in 2018 affect Motorsport 77? | After dad’s tragic accident, I restructured Motorsport 77. Now with 12 pilots across six classes, we’ve won three Latvian titles. Normunds Degainis leads boat-building, letting me focus on growth. It’s about honoring my family’s legacy beyond **Ieva Millere E1 racing**. |
| Is ‘Don’t Stop until you’re Proud’ still your motto? | Yes, it drives my **Ieva Millere E1 racing** and Motorsport 77 work. It’s about giving everything until I’m proud of the result, not just finishing. That’s when the hard work pays off. See more at [UIM’s official site](https://www.uim.sport/) (outbound link). |
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.
