Clean Speed: Team Monaco Makes a Historic Electric Leap with Its E1 Raceboat

Exclusive interview with Maxime Nocher, CEO and Co-Founder of Team Monaco, for Global Networker

At this year’s SPORTEL Monaco — the world’s leading sports and media convention — Team Monaco unveiled its first E1 electric raceboat, marking the Principality’s official entry into the world’s only all-electric powerboat championship, the UIM E1 Series, set to begin in 2026.

The presentation brought together the creators and visionaries behind the project — Alejandro Agag, Founder and Chairman of E1 Series and Formula E; Rodi Basso, CEO and Co-Founder of E1 Series and former Ferrari and Red Bull Racingengineer; Chris Taylor, Co-Owner of Team Monaco; and H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, whose enduring commitment to environmental progress made the initiative a natural continuation of Monaco’s sustainability strategy.

The E1 Boat: Designed to Fly

The RaceBird, unveiled by Team Monaco, marks a breakthrough in marine sport — the first fully electric foiling raceboat built to fly above the water rather than cut through it.

“The E1 boat is actually flying one metre above the water with a foil,” says Maxime Nocher, Team Monaco’s CEO, Co-Founder. “And it’s going quite fast — around 100 kilometres. It’s 100% electric and prepared for the races.”

Traditional boats waste vast energy on drag and waves; the RaceBird’s hydrofoils lift the hull nearly a meter above the surface, reducing resistance up to fourfold and reaching 100 km/h with zero emissions.

For electric propulsion, where energy capacity is key, this design is transformative — minimizing friction, extending range, and defining a new standard for sustainable speed.

“There’s the steering wheel and a paddle to trim the height of the foiling,” Nocher explains. “Once the hull lifts, it’s smooth, weightless, and incredibly responsive.”

The RaceBird’s foils automatically adjust the boat’s height above the water, like an autopilot on an aircraft, maintaining stability even in rough conditions. The result is smooth flight — not just speed, but a new sensation of control.

And unlike traditional boats that create noise, fuel emissions, and wake harmful to marine ecosystems, the RaceBird operates silently, cleanly, and without disturbing the sea.

The Team and the Vision

Together with Chris Taylor, Maxime Nocher co-founded Team Monaco to unite Monaco’s maritime identity with its leadership in clean technology.

“We have a very experienced team — strong in sailing, strong in foiling,” says Nocher. “We want to bring innovation into the Championship and show what Monaco can do on the water.”

Team Monaco’s preparation for the 2026 season is already underway, with training and development continuing through early 2025. The team will compete under the patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II, whose foundation and government initiatives have long promoted innovation and ocean protection.

“Prince Albert II has always pushed for new projects and new innovation,” notes Nocher. “Having his support is an honour — and a real motivation for all of us.”

“Having This Boat Is a Way to Show What Monaco Stands For”

“Having this boat, especially for Monaco, is to show new technology and the electrification of the harbour,” says Nocher. “Monaco has always been a place that embraces innovation. It’s not only about sport — it’s about what the future will look like for the Principality.”
A ten-time world champion in kitefoil racing, Maxime Nocher brings his experience from competitive sailing, hydrofoil design, and the emerging field of electric mobility — a trajectory that mirrors the broader transformation of marine sport itself.
“I’ve been living in Monaco for ten years now,” he adds. “I wanted to give something back to the country. Bringing this technology here feels right — it’s a showcase for Monaco and a way to move the sport forward.”

Racing the Future

The E1 Series, created by Alejandro Agag and Rodi Basso, is reshaping marine racing the way Formula E redefined motorsport — turning competition into a test of engineering intelligence rather than mechanical excess. This equal platform highlights human control and engineering intelligence — and it makes Monaco’s debut especially symbolic. The Principality that once set the global standard for luxury on water now becomes a laboratory for clean mobility and performance.

The season will open with test races in January, before the full championship launches in 2026, visiting cities such as Venice, Jeddah, Rotterdam, and Geneva.

Every race will take place close to shore, turning electric racing into a live spectacle of speed and sustainability.

At SPORTEL Monaco

The unveiling took place during SPORTEL, the leading global convention for sports and media, which gathered the industry’s key decision-makers and rights holders — from NFL, NBA, FIFA, and UEFA to Formula 1, Warner Bros. Discovery, Eurosport, and IOC Television & Marketing Services.

In a forum dominated by global leagues and broadcasters, Team Monaco’s debut drew attention for bringing cutting-edge marine technology into the same conversation — evidence that the future of sport is expanding beyond the stadium and onto the water.