Team Brady has claimed pole position in dramatic qualifying for tomorrow’s E1 Jeddah GP 2026, kicking off the opening race weekend of the new season - with Saundersfoot’s Sam Coleman alongside Emma Kimiläinen delivering a standout performance!

Against the backdrop of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coastline, Brady’s Kimiläinen and Coleman managed to master the tight and technical Jeddah circuit in the all-electric E1 RaceBirds, to lead the field into Saturday’s finals.

With margins finely balanced, the opening round is set up for a high-intensity showdown, as teams begin their pursuit of the Champions of the Water title across a calendar set to span four continents.

The teams and pilots were put through three elimination sessions in the battle to be the fastest qualifier. Team Miami and Team Blue Rising were eliminated in the Qualifying Time Trials while new entrants Team Monaco and Sierra Racing Club both managed to advance into Q1.

Monaco’s qualifying adventure did not go any further as they were eliminated along with Team AlUla championed by LeBron James, while Sierra and Drogba were knocked out in Q2.

That left four boats to battle for pole; Westbrook, Rafa, Aoki and Brady. Tom Brady’s team were the favourites coming into the four-way fight after they had topped the times in both Q1 and Q2.

On the first run in the pole position shootout, Emma laid down the gauntlet, going more than three seconds clear of her competitors and putting Brady on provisional pole.

Westbrook Racing had been fastest in Qualifying Time Trials and it was American Sara Price who was their chosen pilot for the shootout.

Tom Chiappe looked strong in the first sector of his final run but the time slipped away from the Frenchman and Team Rafa as they were forced to settle for third. Aoki Racing’s Dani Clos slotted into second place, missing out on top spot by just 1.7 seconds.

It was Kimiläinen first lap, though, that secured pole position and the three points for being the top qualifier.

Emma Kimiläinen said: “It was a great team effort once again. Conditions were tricky, the water is sometimes a bit crazy and there are fine margins. I was happy to pull the first lap off and then I was experimenting on the second run.”

Her teammate Sam Coleman added: “We are here to fight all season, but we had pole here in Jeddah last year and had a tough race day. We are excited, happy with three points on the board, but tomorrow is going to be a tough day.”

The E1 Jeddah GP 2026 marks the Championship’s return to Saudi Arabia for a third consecutive year, reflecting the Kingdom’s growing role in the future of electric sport, sustainable mobility and innovation on water.

As part of race week activities, E1 continues to deliver impact beyond the circuit. Formula E’s Driving Force presented by PIF 360 is hosting its educational programme in Jeddah, inspiring young people aged eight to 18 to explore Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects and sustainability while connecting classrooms with the future of electric racing.

On the water, PIF’s commitment to performance and excellence is celebrated through the PIF Pilot of the Day award, which will be selected following the final on Saturday, January 24, to recognise standout skill and racecraft across the weekend.

Alejandro Agag, founder and Chairman of E1 said: “Jeddah holds a special place in our hearts at E1 as our now traditional season opener. Our friends and supporters from the Saudi Watersports and Diving Federation and the Ministry of Sport have once again been incredibly hospitable to us, our teams and our pilots.

“We’ve already seen an intense battle in qualifying today. Tomorrow’s race is now set to be followed closely by spectators in our E1 Fan Zone and around the world when all eyes will be on the waters here in Jeddah.”