Team Brady secured their second consecutive UIM E1 World Championship title after the championship finale at Miami Seaplane Base delivered a dramatic conclusion that went to the final lap of the season.
Welsh pilot Sam Coleman and Finnish co-pilot Emma Kimiläinen held off a determined challenge from Rafael Nadal’s Team Rafa to claim both race victories on Saturday, ensuring Tom Brady’s team retained the Champions of the Water crown they won in the inaugural 2024 season.
The title race remained open until the closing moments of the second final, with four teams mathematically capable of claiming the championship heading into the Miami weekend.
Championship on a Knife Edge
Team Brady arrived in Miami holding a narrow advantage over their closest rivals. That margin compressed further after Friday’s qualifying, with Team Rafa claiming pole position to reduce the defending champions’ lead to just two points.
The pressure intensified throughout Saturday’s racing programme, with Team Brady needing to maintain their advantage across two finals whilst Team Rafa, Team Blue Rising and Aoki Racing all harboured championship ambitions.
Coleman Delivers Under Pressure
The opening final saw Coleman demonstrate the composure that has defined Team Brady’s championship campaign. The Welsh pilot moved into second position by the end of the first lap, establishing an early advantage in the title race.
Team Rafa’s Cris Lazarraga faced immediate difficulties, crossing the line last after the opening lap. The Spanish pilot opted for the short lap on her second circulation, seeking calmer water and time recovery.
Lazarraga’s tactical gamble initially paid dividends. Running without having completed her mandatory long lap, she found smoother conditions and made progress through the field into the lead.
The advantage proved temporary. On the fourth lap, both Coleman and Team Blue Rising’s John Peeters closed the gap as Lazarraga lost time. Whilst Coleman moved ahead to claim victory, Lazarraga held off Peeters to secure second place and keep Team Rafa’s championship hopes alive heading into the second final.
Kimiläinen Seals the Championship
The Finnish pilot’s performance in the second final removed any remaining doubt about the championship outcome. Kimiläinen controlled the race from start to finish, crossing the line 15 seconds ahead of Team Rafa’s Tom Chiappe to secure Team Brady’s second consecutive title.
I’m so proud of the team. The calls, the strategies, everything went extremely well today, and Sam, you crushed it. Absolutely crushed it.
Kimiläinen’s dominant performance earned her the PIF Pilot of the Race award for maintaining composure under the immense pressure of a championship decider.
Coleman reflected on the team’s season-long development.
It was great to show that we’ve learned from our mistakes earlier in the season and we’ve been able to apply it as we’ve gone forwards. Every time we’ve gone on the water we’ve learned something and we get better.
Brady Celebrates Back-to-Back Titles
Team owner Tom Brady, whose seven Super Bowl victories make him one of American sport’s most decorated athletes, praised his team’s achievement.
I couldn’t be prouder of Team Brady for bringing home two straight E1 World Championships.
Sport is about strength, resilience, and consistency, the same mindset that drives us every single day on the water. Two championships don’t just happen. They’re earned through relentless effort, total commitment, and belief in each other.
We’ve proven what’s possible when you chase greatness with everything you’ve got, and trust me, we’re only getting started.
Final Championship Standings
Team Rafa’s second-place finishes in both Miami finals secured runner-up position in the championship for Rafael Nadal’s team. Team Blue Rising claimed third place ahead of Aoki Racing in fourth, with Will Smith’s Westbrook Racing completing the top five.
The 2025 season spanned nine races across four continents, with rounds in Jeddah, Monaco, Dubrovnik, Lagos and Miami showcasing the all-electric championship to global audiences.
Alejandro Agag, E1 founder and Chairman, highlighted the significance of the series’ first American race.
Congratulations to our incredible 2025 Champions Team Brady who took the title battle right down to the wire. Our first U.S. race in Miami is a milestone for the series as E1 continues to gather momentum and win new fans of this dramatic sport. What we’ve witnessed this season shows that electric racing can deliver close racing, inspire progress and drive change through the thrill of pure competition.
Rodi Basso, E1 founder and Chief Executive Officer, praised both championship contenders.
Firstly, massive congratulations to Team Brady who fought hard all season to retain their Champions of the Water crown. This Miami finale captured everything that makes E1 so special: speed, spectacle, and purpose. Congratulations also to Team Rafa who battled hard until the very last moment.
The fans watching here and around the world were treated to E1 at its best and a final worthy of an incredible year of racing. After a break, teams new and old will be back vying for race wins and the title in 2026.
Following Saturday’s racing, guests were treated to a performance from Cirque du Soleil created exclusively for E1, blending acrobatics, artistry and music to capture the championship’s energy.
The 2026 UIM E1 World Championship will feature an expanded grid, with Team Sierra and Team Monaco confirmed as new entries for the third season of all-electric powerboat racing.
John Moore’s involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
