Will Smith’s Angola Westbrook Racing team has moved to the top of the UIM E1 World Championship standings after a strong showing at the Lake Como GP, taking maximum points in both finals to grab an early season advantage.
The weekend wasn’t handed to them. Sara Price picked up damage during the opening runs, forcing the crew into a quick turnaround for repairs. Once back on the water, Price and teammate Lucas Ordóñez found their pace. They led cleanly through Final 1 and Final 2, repeating the exact result they delivered at this venue in 2024.
John Peeters brought plenty of energy to the water for Team Blue Rising. Starting from the outside lane in both finals, the American made sharp launches off the line, sliding past the field early on. His driving earned him the PIF Pilot of the Day award and carried his team to second place overall.
Team Brady secured the final step on the podium, though it came after a tough break. Emma Kimiläinen clipped a course marker in the opening final, leaving teammate Sam Coleman to carry the team’s points hopes. Coleman kept the damaged E1 RaceBird steady, managed his pace carefully, and finished third. That result leaves Team Brady just three points behind Westbrook in the championship table.
With only 14 points separating the top four teams, the title fight is already shaping up to be tight. Westbrook hadn’t stood on a podium since their last visit to Lake Como two years ago, but Saturday’s double win has put them firmly in the driver’s seat heading into the next round.
Will Smith didn’t hide his excitement after the checkered flags dropped. In the team owners’ group chat, he wrote: "Finally! That one felt good." He quickly added a light-hearted jab: "Wait, why's Brady declining my calls?"
Not far behind in the congratulations list was LeBron James, who reached out to his rival: "Congratulations Will, amazing job by your team."
Beyond the racing, the weekend marked a first for Sierra Racing Club co-owners Thibaut Courtois and Kyle Kuzma. The pair attended their inaugural UIM E1 World Championship event, watching the electric hydrofoils up close and getting a feel for the championship’s growing paddock atmosphere.
The UIM E1 World Championship presented by Villa d’Este now shifts focus to the next stop on the calendar in Dubrovnik, Croatia from 12 to 13 June 2026. With the standings so closely packed, every race from here will matter.