E1 Jeddah GP 2025

ARTS & CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

The E1 Jeddah GP 2025 marked a historic moment as the first stop of Season 2 of the E1 World Championship, the world’s first all-electric powerboat racing series. This groundbreaking event transformed the Jeddah Corniche into a global stage for sustainable marine motorsport, where cutting-edge innovation met environmental responsibility. Powered by the RaceBird, a revolutionary hydrofoil electric boat capable of speeds up to 50 knots, the event showcased how high-performance racing can operate without fossil fuels. At its core, the event aimed to accelerate the future of electric marine mobility, reduce environmental impact, and promote Saudi Arabia’s leadership in sustainable sports under Vision 2030.

Designed, executed and operated by STAMiNA under the leadership of the Saudi Water Sports and Diving Federation (SWSDF) and the the Ministry of Sports (MOS), the event was built around a strong sustainability and innovation narrative. It featured a floating modular racecourse, solar-powered paddocks, and a no-wake policy to protect Jeddah’s marine ecosystem. A key highlight was the involvement of celebrity team owners such as LeBron James, Tom Brady, Rafael Nadal, Steve Aoki, and Will Smith, which drew significant global attention. Beyond the racing spectacle, the event included the “Acceleration Festival,” a vibrant fan zone featuring more than 20 interactive activations focused on clean energy, marine conservation, and electric mobility education.

The primary objectives were centered around five pillars: achieving zero-emission racing, protecting the Red Sea ecosystem, enhancing Jeddah’s reputation as a sustainable sports hub, offering an unparalleled guest experience, and educating the community. These were achieved through comprehensive planning: using RaceBirds eliminated 100% of race emissions, modular floating docks protected marine life, and solar-powered infrastructure ensured renewable energy usage. The event achieved over 40 million global viewers, engaged more than 5000 spectators on-site, and saw significant success in fan satisfaction, media coverage, and environmental KPIs such as a 72% waste diversion from landfill and a reduction of 200 tons of CO₂.

Key challenges included constructing floating pontoons capable of withstanding open sea conditions, managing the complexity of transitioning to fully electric operations, and balancing VIP premium hospitality (Ocean Club) with public accessibility. Moreover, the team tackled community concerns around 20-day road closures near the Corniche, which was mitigated through comprehensive traffic management plans and stakeholder engagement.

Sustainability was embedded in every layer of the event. The RaceBird’s hydrofoil design not only minimized drag but also drastically reduced water disturbance. All energy used for racing operations came from solar power, and the hospitality zones were constructed with 30% recycled materials. The event adopted a strict no-single-use-plastics policy, with refillable water stations replacing plastic bottles and extensive recycling and composting programs. Importantly, the “Day Zero” initiative brought over 150 local students together to learn about marine conservation, complemented by a global coral bleaching awareness dive featuring DJ Steve Aoki.

The success of the event was evaluated across multiple dimensions: environmental metrics (zero direct emissions, 72% waste diversion), audience engagement (5000+ attendees, 85% fan satisfaction), and global media reach (40M+ viewers). Operational success was demonstrated by the seamless execution of race schedules and zero marine incidents, while community impact was measured through high participation in educational programs and stakeholder feedback.

What sets E1 Jeddah GP apart is that it is not just a sporting event but a blueprint for the future of sustainable marine motorsport. It represents the first scalable demonstration of zero-emissions powerboat racing, powered entirely by renewable energy. The floating infrastructure avoided damaging the seabed, proving that major events can be hosted with minimal environmental footprint. Additionally, the powerful mix of celebrity ownership, global broadcasting, and environmental activism created a cultural movement that extended far beyond the water.

STAMiNA’s execution of the E1 Jeddah GP 2025 under SWSDF and MOS was about setting a global standard for how sports can drive sustainability, inspire communities, and showcase the future of clean technology on a world stage.