Rafael Nadal has joined the E1 Series as a team owner alongside Formula 1 driver Sergio Perez to make waves ahead of its inaugural season this year.
UIM E1 World Championship, the world’s first all-electric raceboat series, is an upcoming league launched by Formula E and Extreme E founder Alejandro Agag and former director of Motorsport at McLaren, Rodi Basso.
Alongside his incredible success on the tennis court, Nadal – a Mallorquin islander – is passionate about the ocean and is hugely supportive of E1’s mission to accelerate clean mobility and restore marine ecosystems.
“I’m really excited to be getting involved with a project like E1 that values sustainability and will make a positive impact on society as a whole, especially in coastal communities,” said Nadal.
“As a professional athlete, I recognise how making marginal gains has a positive impact on performance. To see this same competitive spirit and approach being applied at E1 to optimise the performance and efficiency of sustainable marine mobility is good news for our oceans.”
Nadal will also be supporting E1’s Blue Action Programme, which has been designed to create a positive impact on local communities through projects aimed at restoring marine ecosystems along city waterfronts.
“It’s incredible news to have a name like Rafael Nadal join the UIM E1 World Championship,” Agag said. “He’s not only one of the greatest tennis players of all time, he’s also a sporting icon who has transcended his sport.”
The first season of the E1 Series is scheduled to get underway later this year. In the coming months, championship organisers will continue to accelerate preparations for the inaugural season, with more teams and race venues to be announced in due course.