Angola is set to host a round of the UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF this September, with Luanda confirmed as the venue for the E1 Luanda GP 2026, scheduled for September 12 and 13. The announcement was made in Luanda with team owner Will Smith alongside E1 founder and Chairman Alejandro Agag and Angola's Minister of Tourism, Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel.
Smith owns the Visit Angola Westbrook Racing team, one of ten squads in the championship backed by high-profile sports and entertainment figures. The lineup includes international footballer and African legend Didier Drogba, whose team is piloted by Kiwi driver Micah Wilkinson, as well as NFL icon Tom Brady, NBA champion LeBron James, and DJ Steve Aoki.
Will Smith, Westbrook Racing's owner, said: "Africa has always embodied passion and relentless drive. E1 in Angola is more than a moment; it's a movement. This September, the world will be watching and I'm excited to be part of it!"
Angola becomes the championship's second African race location and its first in Southern Africa, joining a calendar that already includes Monaco, Miami and Lake Como. Luanda is one of Africa's most important maritime gateways, with a rich marine history, making it a natural setting for electric raceboat competition on the Atlantic coast.
The event will spotlight Angola's sustainability credentials, including major investment in hydroelectric power, themes that align with E1's mission of advancing electric marine technology. The E1 RaceBirds, raced by male and female pilot pairings, will make their debut in Angolan waters.
Alejandro Agag, Founder and Chairman of Formula E, Extreme H and E1, said: "We are delighted to welcome Luanda, Angola as a major new stop on E1's global calendar and another statement of intent as we look to continue to grow our international audiences. It's great having Will Smith here as one of our team owners to back this exciting new race location and to see his and the people's enthusiasm for our unique form of racing on water."
Agag added: "Luanda is also consistent with E1's mission to race in locations embodying innovation, environmental ambition and a deep connection to the water. Angola delivers on all three, and we couldn't be more excited to race here late this year."
Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel, Minister of Tourism, said: "We are proud to see Angola as the newest E1 race destination. With its international footprint, E1 offers a powerful platform to highlight our country's potential and future. E1's strong focus on sustainability also aligns with Angola's vision for responsible tourism, innovation, and long-term destination development. Angola is looking forward to seeing the E1 RaceBirds race on Angolan waters."
Race coverage will be broadcast across more than 230 territories, including through DAZN, SuperSport and the E1 YouTube channel.
