RIANNA O’MEARA-HUNT JOINS E1 TEAM MIAMI

E1 Team Miami, powered by MAGNUS, is proud to announce that Rianna O’Meara-Hunt will join the team as its female pilot from Round 2 of the 2026 UIM E1 World Championship in Lake Como, Italy. O’Meara-Hunt steps into the race seat in place of Patricia Pita Gago, forming a new pairing alongside Swedish driver Timmy Hansen, as Team Miami looks to build momentum heading into the European leg of the season. The 24-year-old joins the Miami squad following an impressive introduction to E1 earlier this year, having made her competitive debut in Jeddah under challenging circumstances – stepping in for the injured Catie Munnings at Sierra Racing Club. Despite limited preparation time and no prior experience in electric powerboat racing, O’Meara-Hunt delivered a composed and competitive performance. Progressing into Q2 and quickly establishing herself as an adaptable new talent in the E1 paddock, she would go on to finish fifth with team-mate Erik Stark. Originally from New Zealand, O’Meara-Hunt began her racing career in karting at the age of eight, going on to become the first junior female to win an Australian Rotax State Championship and New Zealand Rotax Max Challenge rounds in 2017. In 2023, O’Meara-Hunt made history as a part of the first all-female driver pairing to win in the GT4 Aston Martin Vantage, securing double victory at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the GT4 SRO America series. Further success followed with selection to the Aston Martin Racing Elite Academy and Forsetti Motorsport, Aston Martin’s GT4 factory team, where she secured multiple podiums in the GT Cup, including victory at Snetterton.

O’Meara-Hunt’s move to Team Miami marks the Kiwi’s first full-time race seat in the E1 Series. Rianna O’Meara-Hunt, E1 Team Miami, powered by MAGNUS, pilot, said: "I’m honoured to be announced as the new pilot for Team Miami. The opportunity to compete in a World Championship is everything, and I’m ready to give it my all. "As this new chapter begins, I couldn’t be more excited to be working with such a talented and experienced team. Together, we’re chasing results, podiums, and building something unforgettable. We’ll be giving it some Kiwi magic!" Timmy Hansen, E1 Team Miami, powered by MAGNUS, pilot, said: "Rianna already showed in Jeddah that she is very fast and capable of delivering strong results. She achieved some excellent performances there. "She already feels very well integrated into the team - we have weekly meetings and discussions focused on improving performance and helping her learn our procedures at Team Miami. She truly feels part of the family, and we’re looking forward to racing with her." Steve Curtis, E1 Team Miami, powered by MAGNUS, Team Principal, said: "We’re very excited to welcome Rianna to Team Miami. She has already demonstrated her ability to adapt quickly and perform under pressure, which is exactly what’s required in E1. As we head into the European leg of the season, we believe this new line-up gives us a strong platform to compete. "All of us here at Team Miami want to thank Patricia Pita Gago for her commitment and contributions. She will always be a part of the team, and we wish her all the best going forward in her career." The addition of O’Meara-Hunt signals a strategic shift for Team Miami as it looks ahead to the upcoming European rounds. With Hansen’s experience and O’Meara-Hunt’s versatility, the team is targeting a strong return to form. Following a challenging season-opener in Jeddah at the start of the year, where the team secured a win in the Place Race to take seventh in the event and championship standings, Team Miami now turns its focus to Round 2 in Lake Como (24–25 April).