Dubrovnik once again became one of the most exciting sporting stages on the Adriatic this weekend, as the Adriatic Luxury Hotels E1 Dubrovnik GP 2026 brought electric speed, global stars and thousands of spectators to the waters in front of the Old City.
The highlight of the weekend came on Saturday, 13 June, when Angola Westbrook Racing, the team owned by Hollywood actor Will Smith, claimed victory in Dubrovnik. Pilots Lucas Ordóñez and Sara Price powered through difficult racing conditions to take the win and extend the team’s lead in the championship.
A dramatic race in front of the Old City
Strong winds made the Dubrovnik racecourse particularly demanding, testing the skill, timing and strategy of the E1 pilots. Angola Westbrook Racing had already shown its strength during qualifying on Friday and continued that momentum through Saturday’s final races.
Team Brady finished second, keeping pressure on the championship leaders, while Team AlUla Championed by LeBron James completed the podium in third place.
The win was especially important for Angola Westbrook Racing, which now continues the season with a stronger lead at the top of the standings. It was also the team’s second consecutive GP victory, confirming its status as one of the main favourites of the 2026 championship.
Global stars on the Dubrovnik coast
This year’s E1 weekend brought additional international attention thanks to the arrival of several major sports names. LeBron James, Kyle Kuzma and Rafael Nadal were in Dubrovnik to support their E1 teams and follow the races from the Dalmatian coast.
Their presence turned the event into more than a race. The E1 Dubrovnik GP became a meeting point of sport, technology, sustainability, luxury hospitality and celebrity culture, all set against one of the most recognisable backdrops in the Mediterranean.
Plenković: A major promotion for Croatia
The final race was also attended by Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, who described the E1 event as an important promotional opportunity for Dubrovnik and Croatia at the start of the tourist season.
Speaking at Hotel Excelsior, Plenković said that the Croatian Government had supported the project through the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, adding that the presence of global stars gives the country exceptional visibility.
Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Franković also underlined the promotional value of the event, pointing out the reach generated by social media posts and media coverage connected with the race.
Dubrovnik strengthens its place on the E1 map
The E1 Championship is the world’s first all-electric raceboat series, with futuristic RaceBird boats designed to rise above the sea using hydrofoil technology. The championship brings together ten teams, each with one male and one female pilot, while team owners include some of the biggest names in global sport and entertainment.
For Dubrovnik, the second edition of the E1 GP confirms that the city has become one of the championship’s most attractive destinations. After joining the E1 calendar in 2025, Dubrovnik has quickly positioned itself as a spectacular race venue where technology, sport and the Adriatic landscape meet in a powerful way.
With Will Smith’s team celebrating victory, LeBron James and Rafael Nadal watching from the coast, and the Old City providing the setting, the E1 Dubrovnik GP 2026 delivered exactly what it promised: speed, spectacle and global attention.
