One-point-four seconds. That’s all it took to write history on Luanda Bay. As Tom Brady’s team win the first-ever E1 Luanda GP – and tighten their grip on the championship. But the day that gave Angola history also broke its heart: the home team, out before the finals, by half a second. We will spotlight – the winners, the chasers, and the team that came so close.
The first E1 Grand Prix in Southern Africa saved its best for the final corner. Emma Kimiläinen against Oban Duncan. Brady against Monaco. And at the line – one-point-four seconds between glory and second place. It was Brady’s first win of the season, built on Sam Coleman’s victory in Final One, and on cool heads through a day of collisions and penalties that caught Aoki and Blue Rising alike. Moments off the podium, the champions spoke to Africa24.
“Well, amazing day after yesterday’s difficulties in the quality session. We were P7, struggled a little bit with the speed, but everyone was so close, so we knew that we’d get into racing, and it’s a whole new game again. So, the only constant in E1 is change, so that’s what we’ve proved today”
Emma Kimiläinen & Sam Coleman, Pilots, Team Brady – UIM E1 World Championship
“ Yeah I mean Emma saw it from the boat but I was watching from the roof getting all nervous because she was stuck behind Aoki because they had some penalties to deal with and it was slowing us down and like backing us into Monaco but Emma did a great job in the dirty water to be able to keep the speed and just enough speed to win it by half a second so we’re really proud”
Emma Kimiläinen & Sam Coleman, Pilots, Team Brady – UIM E1 World Championship
Behind them – the drive of the day. Oban Duncan chased the champions all the way home, and was named PIF Pilot of the Day.
“Yeah, I mean this team was this race was really important for us coming from our home race coming from a pole position It meant a lot and we’ve really proved ourselves with the other teams I think that we’re up there and we’re gonna fight with everyone”
“It was perfect. Actually, was flat water We have I mean the best performance ever for our team. We almost finish first. So it’s great I mean we will see in Miami for the next round”
Oban Duncan & Maxime Nocher, Pilot, Team Monaco – UIM E1 World Championship
And completing the podium – Rafael Nadal’s Team Rafa, with points that matter in a crowded midfield.
Chiappe –“ Well, it’s just amazing, the feeling is super emotional, we are super happy to be in the podium, especially in Angola, the place is just amazing, people here, they are super lovely, so they welcome us really well, so no, we are happy, a lot”
Lazarraga –“ No, Team Rafa is very happy with this podium, it means a lot, we have been struggling this year, so this podium means really a lot, it’s like a victory, and we can’t wait for Miami”
Tom Chiappe & Cris Lazarraga, Pilot, Team Rafa – UIM E1 World Championship
Then, the story that hurt. The home team – second in the championship – hit by technical failure in race one. A boat borrowed from Team AlUla. A fightback. And in the final metres, Sierra’s Catie Munnings snatched the last finals spot from them – by half a second. Ninth place, at their own Grand Prix, and a forty-point gap now to Brady. Lucas Ordóñez spoke to africa24 about their race.
Ordóñez- “today we were ready for it. We felt confident in our home race. We are supporting Angola around the world, and this was a very special event for us.
But unfortunately for Sara in the first race, she was nailing it, no, she was in second position but then suddenly she had a technical issue”
Lucas Ordóñez, Pilot, Westbrook Racing by Visit Angola – UIM E1 World Championship
So Luanda enters the history books – and the title race heads for Miami. A double-header. One crown. Brady chasing three in a row – and Angola’s team chasing Brady. The bay is quiet tonight. The story is just getting loud.
