E1 TEAM MONACO: FIFTH PLACE AND SECOND FINAL OF THE SEASON IN DUBROVNIK - A PODIUM WITHIN REACH
Dubrovnik, Croatia –13th June 2026 — E1 Team Monaco delivered another strong performance during Round 3 of the 2026 UIM E1 World Championship by PIF, securing a fifth-place finish in Dubrovnik and reaching its second final of the season — despite a weekend marked by challenging conditions and a cruel technical setback that denied the team what could have been its first podium of the season.
PODIUM IN SIGHT, CUT SHORT BY ENGINE ISOLATION
Oban DUNCAN made an outstanding start, immediately moving into third position and setting the team up for a genuine podium challenge. The race was however red-flagged after the Team Miami RaceBird lost its nose section, forcing officials to organise a restart.
The restart proved decisive. The boat wash impact had damaged the RaceBird's windscreen cover, leaving Oban battling on with severely compromised visibility and the boat taking on water. Running confidently in third place, the RaceBird suddenly lost all power mid-straight, forcing Oban Duncan to attempt a manual restart on the water.
The team reacted swiftly, switching to a short lap strategy to stay in contention — a plan that held for three laps before the engine isolation system failed for good, ending the race prematurely and denying the team what would have been a richly deserved podium.
▶ Watch: E1 Dubrovnik GP 2026 Race Day Highlights
Oban DUNCAN, E1 Team Monaco female pilot, said:
"The conditions were tough, we made two excellent starts and had real pace — but we took a significant impact which ultimately meant we couldn't finish the race. The windscreen cover came off after the restart, which made visibility very difficult, and the boat was also taking on water. It has been a very tough day, but I am proud of how we fought until the very end."
Despite the disappointment, Maxime NOCHER, E1 Team Monaco male pilot and co-owner, remained proud of the team's progress and focused on what lies ahead:
"I am proud of the team. We had the podium in our hands and were running P3 when we had to retire — it could have been our first podium of the season. Now our focus turns to our home race in Monaco on 17–18 July. We hope to have the boat fix all the part change where we have issue and be able to fully push for the result we know we are capable of. Our pace has improved significantly, and we want to show what this team can really do when everything comes together."
LOOKING AHEAD TO MONACO
Although the result fell short of the podium that seemed firmly within reach, E1 Team Monaco leaves Dubrovnik with its head held high. The pace is there, the determination is unwavering, and the team now turns its full attention to its home race— the E1 Monaco race on 17–18 July 2026 — where it will look to convert its growing momentum into the result it deserves.
RESULTS – UIM E1 World Championship 2026 – Round 3, Dubrovnik
Final Result: 5th Place
Championship Standings: 7th place with 33 points
Next Round: Round 4 E1 Monaco – 17–18 July 2026
