Monaco once again demonstrated why it remains one of the world's leading destinations for international sport as the E1 World Championship returned to the Principality on Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18.
While Formula One may dominate Monaco's sporting reputation, this weekend the spotlight shifted to the Mediterranean, where the world's first all-electric powerboat championship delivered two days of exciting racing in Port Hercule.
Team Drogba celebrated its first-ever E1 victory, while Team Brady strengthened its position at the top of the championship standings, marking another milestone for the rapidly growing series.
Unlike traditional powerboats, E1's futuristic RaceBird vessels use hydrofoil technology, lifting above the surface of the water as they gather speed. Powered entirely by electricity, they represent a new generation of marine engineering designed to reduce emissions while maintaining the thrill of competitive racing.
The championship has also attracted an impressive list of celebrity team owners, including Didier Drogba, Tom Brady, Rafael Nadal, LeBron James and Will Smith, helping introduce the sport to audiences far beyond the traditional world of powerboat racing.
For Monaco, the event is about more than competition.
The Principality has invested heavily in promoting sustainable innovation through projects such as the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge and Prince Albert II's long-standing commitment to ocean conservation. Hosting E1 reinforces Monaco's ambition to become a global showcase for cleaner maritime technology.
Thousands of spectators gathered around the harbour throughout the weekend as the sleek electric boats appeared to skim across the Mediterranean, creating a spectacular backdrop against Monaco's iconic skyline.
Although electric marine technology is still developing, championships such as E1 provide an important testing ground for ideas that could eventually influence recreational boating and commercial vessels alike.
Monaco has always embraced the future of motorsport. This weekend proved that future may no longer be confined to its streets, but increasingly to the sea that has shaped the Principality for centuries.