Friday’s Qualifying proved tough for Team Miami’s new pilot line-up of Timmy Hansen and Patricia Pita Gago. A difficult start in the Time Trials resulted in a ninth-place finish, denying the Miami outfit a chance to fight in the following Qualifying rounds.
Pita Gago took the helm for the opening Group A race on Saturday. A mistake off the line dropped the Uruguayan back early on, but she delivered a determined recovery drive against strong opposition. Chasing Team Brady’s Sam Coleman, Lucas Ordóñez in the Westbrook Racing RaceBird, and Erik Stark for newcomers Sierra Racing Club, Pita Gago brought the boat home in fifth.
Group A Race 2 marked an impressive first race for Hansen in Miami colors, as a near-perfect launch put the team in contention at the front. While the Swede missed an opportunity to shut the door on Team Brady’s Emma Kimilänen, Hansen stayed locked onto the back of the race leader to secure second.
Pita Gago returned to the cockpit for the Race Off and did not let the start slip away from her. Nailing the launch, the Team Miami pilot pushed towards the front of the pack. However, heavy traffic and turbulent conditions through the opening corners shuffled her back, ending the squad’s bid for a coveted spot in the Finals.
Team Miami regrouped for the Place Race with the aim of maximizing points, and Hansen delivered a commanding performance. A perfectly timed boost allowed him to take the lead on the opening straight, after which he extended his advantage to claim the race win and secure seventh place overall.
While the final result did not fully reflect the team’s underlying pace, the opening round of the 2026 E1 season offered positive signs. With valuable lessons learned and confidence continuing to grow, Team Miami leaves Jeddah well positioned to progress as the championship continues.
TEAM QUOTES
Steve Curtis, Team Principal for E1 Team Miami, powered by MAGNUS, added:
“Jeddah was a tough but ultimately encouraging way to open the season. With new team-mates and a demanding circuit, we knew this weekend would test us, and I’m proud of how the team responded. The pace we showed, particularly in the later races, proves we’re heading in the right direction. Seventh place doesn’t tell the full story, but the lessons we take from here will be crucial as we move forward in the season."
Timmy Hansen, Pilot for E1 Team Miami, powered by MAGNUS, said: “Jeddah was a challenging start to the season, but also an important one for learning and growth. Our second Group Stage race showed what we’re capable of, and winning the Place Race felt good against some strong opposition. The conditions were tough and the racing was intense, but the potential is there. We’ll take the positives, work on the details, and come back stronger for the next race.”
Patricia Pita Gago, Pilot for E1 Team Miami, powered by MAGNUS, said: "It was a pretty tough weekend. We have a really good boat and a really good team - working alongside Steve and Timmy has been really positive for me. It was frustrating not being able to put all that I had learned into my racing. I had good starts but following the first corner it was difficult to keep the pace. We are already planning how to recover as a team and how I can progress as a pilot since this is still very new for me. I know that we’re going to come back in Lake Como even better and stronger. All I can think about now is getting more time in the water so that I can improve, but mistakes are where we can learn, so that’s what I’m taking away from this first race of the season."
RACING HIGHLIGHTS
A strong and adaptable race strategy from the Miami team proved crucial in Group A Race 2. Following Team Brady into the short lap, Hansen consistently clocked leading lap times, despite running in wake of the defending champions.
Recognizing the need for clean water to mount a serious challenge, Team Miami quickly shifted tactics, opting for the long lap to create space and begin hunting down the race leader.
While no team wants to end up in the Place Race, Team Miami entered the fray ready to give it everything to make the most of the championship points still available.
Starting from the same grid spot as team-mate Pita Gago in the Race Off, the win appeared to be slipping out of Hansen’s fingers as his opponents pulled ahead off the start line.
The Swede kept his cool, however, and a well timed use of the boost button saw Hansen surge to the front of the pack. From that point on, it was all about managing the race strategy, taking the short lap to cement the team’s lead and timing the long lap to maintain course position on the final lap.
UP NEXT: E1 LAKE COMO GP
The second round of Season 3 sees world-class racing meet some of Italy’s most iconic waters, as the UIM E1 World Championship returns to Lake Como - a Season 1 destination - in 3 months’ time (24-25 April).
Surrounded by mountains, Lake Como represents one of the most breathtaking locations on the calendar, but the second instalment of the season promises high-speeds as well as timeless beauty.
With 90 days to prepare, Team Miami will be looking to flip the narrative and bring the heat to its nine rival teams.
