BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® marks its second year as the Official Gin Partner of the UIM E1 World Championship – the world’s first all-electric raceboat Championship – with a global series of multisensorial moments in 2026, anchored in the brand’s Step into The Blue platform. Leading the charge this May is a partnership showcase event taking place in the global cultural hotspot of Ibiza, against the backdrop of the island’s iconic Mediterranean blues.
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE also adds even more star power to the waters, with the announcement of its new partnership with Aoki Racing Team, owned by global DJ icon Steve Aoki, who is no stranger to the Ibizan club scene. Known for his high-energy performances and commitment to protecting the world’s blue waters, Aoki embodies the spirit of innovation and purpose at the heart of the E1 Championship.
Aoki Racing Team owner, Steve Aoki, comments: “I’m incredibly excited to have BOMBAY SAPPHIRE as our new global partner on E1 Aoki Racing Team, as they embody so much of what this sport means to me – pushing boundaries, blending innovation with creativity, and championing a future where technology and sustainability work hand in hand. Not to mention, my favorite color is blue! I can’t think of a better place to kick off this partnership than Ibiza, a place that inspires me every time I’m there. And this is just the beginning – watch this space for more to come from us, as we build momentum from Ibiza, all the way to the season finale later this year.”
Together, Bombay Sapphire and E1 continue to redefine modern luxury by fusing entertainment, pioneering electric racing, and sustainability. The E1 Ibiza Showrun 2026 presented by BOMBAY SAPPHIRE will bring a taste of the sport to the Balearics, as two E1 RaceBirds – one in the iconic BOMBAY SAPPHIRE blue livery, and one yet to be revealed one-off custom E1 livery – appear on the island for the very first time. This follows on from the E1 London Showrun 2025 presented by BOMBAY SAPPHIRE, which took place on the Thames last July, as a celebration of the inaugural year of partnership.
For many of the Championship’s top pilots, the Balearic stop carries personal significance – including Spanish racers Dani Clos of Steve Aoki’s Team Aoki, Tara Pacheco of team Drogba Global Africa, Lucas Ordóñez of Angola Westbrook Racing and Cris Lazzaraga of Team Rafa, backed by global tennis legend Rafael Nadal.
Hosted in a world‑renowned destination embodying glamour, the spectacle will be perfectly paired with a beautifully chilled BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Sparkling Lemon – the official cocktail of the E1 World Championship – as the hues of the Mediterranean Sea and sky mirror the shimmering blue of the iconic Bombay Sapphire bottle.
“Connection, innovation and a deep respect for nature’s awe-inspiring blues sit at the heart of the partnership between Bombay Sapphire and E1,” said Natasha Curtin, Global Vice President of BOMBAY SAPPHIRE®. “Together, we create immersive moments that bring these shared values to life. After giving London a glimpse of the future with the E1 RaceBirds appearing on the Thames in 2025, we’re now raising the bar even further on the Mediterranean waters beside Ibiza Old Town. This one-of-a-kind E1 Ibiza Showrun presented by BOMBAY SAPPHIRE is a powerful expression of our global platform, Step Into The Blue. Set in one of the world’s most culturally influential destinations, as Europe steps into summer, Ibiza offers the perfect stage to celebrate pioneering electric racing, sustainability and the beauty of the moment.”
Jamie Copas, Chief Executive Officer, E1, said: “Spain has one of the most passionate sporting cultures and has embraced E1 with extraordinary enthusiasm. Bringing the E1 Ibiza Showrun to these iconic shores in partnership with Bombay Sapphire is a moment of real pride.”
The upcoming E1 Ibiza Showrun 2026 presented by Bombay Sapphire follows recent activity in the lively heart of Milan Design Week, where BOMBAY SAPPHIRE turned the Milanese capital blue for Milan Design Week, with an E1 exhibition centered around innovation, design and the iconic Italian occasion of the Aperitivo. This set the stage for the E1 Lake Como GP 2026 presented at Villa d’Este in Italy, the opening round of the European leg on E1’s calendar, which took place across 24th and 25th April. Following the E1 Ibiza Showcase 2026 presented by BOMBAY SAPPHIRE, the European Championship leg continues in Dubrovnik (13th June) and Monaco (18th July) before heading to Africa after a short summer break.
