Rodi Basso steps down as E1 CEO
LONDON, 18 March 2026 – Rodi Basso has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer of E1, the world's first all-electric raceboat Championship.
As the business now transitions from successful start-up to embark on the next phase of global growth, Rodi has decided the time is now right for others to take E1 forward to its next stage while he concentrates on other projects.
An entrepreneur, former aerospace and motorsport engineer, Rodi founded E1 five years ago along with Alejandro Agag, creator of Formula E and Extreme H that, together with E1, champion electric mobility on land and on water.
Rodi has steered E1 from an idea conceived with Alejandro on the banks of The Thames in London, to establishing a global racing spectacle. E1 now visits some of the world's most desirable destinations spanning four continents and is now broadcast to over 230 territories worldwide.
Jamie Copas becomes E1's CEO. With a successful agency background in brands, sports, and entertainment, he will help the Championship through its next phase of growth.
Working closely with founder and Chairman Alejandro Agag, the Board, executive, wider E1 team and key stakeholders, Jamie will focus on driving forward E1’s commercial relationships, ambitions and delivery.
Alejandro Agag, founder and Chairman of E1, said: "On behalf of myself, our board, employees, partners, investors, team owners, teams, host cities and fans around the world, I would like to thank Rodi for his unwavering inspiration, commitment and unsurpassed energy to making this incredible Championship happen and for guiding us through two incredible seasons.
"Rodi's background as an engineer and entrepreneur has been invaluable to E1 through its initial start-up phase, having helped establish this Championship's firm foundations. Rodi leaves E1 in rude health as an exciting global sports and entertainment proposition primed for growth and further global expansion. The whole E1 family wishes Rodi well in his future endeavours."
Rodi Basso, founder of E1 said: "It has been an absolute privilege to take the initial idea for E1 that myself and Alejandro conceived, design and build a team and the boats from scratch, go racing and make it a reality.
"Now, after two seasons of racing on the water, and as E1 now moves from its initial start-up phase to one focussed on future growth, I felt that now was the perfect time to step away and hand the reins to the next leader who can expedite the E1 journey. While I focus on building the next new idea, I will be looking on from the shore and am excited to see E1 continue to go from strength to strength."
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About the UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF
E1 is the world’s first and only all-electric raceboat championship sanctioned by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), the international governing body for powerboating activities.
The UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF was established to create a new, exciting and competitive on-water racing Championship using electric technologies to focus efforts on innovations that help protect and restore our urban waters and coastal areas.
The Championship sees teams featuring both a male and female pilot. Racing on the water in iconic cities around the world including Jeddah, Monaco, Lake Como, Lagos and Miami, teams are owned by some of the biggest names on the planet. These already include LeBron James, Will Smith, Marc Anthony and Steve Aoki from the world of entertainment, Rafael Nadal, Tom Brady, Virat Kohli and Didier Drogba from the world of sport.
E1 pilots navigate tight and technical circuits behind the wheel of the electric RaceBirds. For the latest news and updates, follow us at @E1Series on Facebook, X and Instagram. #ChampionsOfTheWater
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