2025 E1 Championship: Westbrook Racing finds its rhythm

2025 E1 Championship: Westbrook Racing finds its rhythm: new faces, clearer focus and a p4 finish

Lago Maggiore, 30 June 2025 – After a turbulent first half of the 2025 E1 Championship season, Westbrook Racing is starting to find its stride. Following tough outings in Jeddah and Doha—both of which were hampered by technical issues—the team faced fresh challenges in Dubrovnik, including setup uncertainty and limited testing time. But it was in Lago Maggiore that the team found a breakthrough, signaling a potential turning point for the remainder of the season.

Team Principal Phil Allen doesn’t shy away from the struggles. “When we arrived in Dubrovnik, we were still uncertain if the issues from the earlier rounds had been fully resolved,” he explains. “There had been a lot of discussion internally that we’d found the root cause, but without real confirmation, we were cautious.”

That caution shaped the team’s approach to the race. With choppy but manageable water conditions, Westbrook Racing made an early decision to run the smaller 15-inch propeller. “It was a conservative move, and looking back, probably too cautious. Most of the field ran the 16,” says Allen. “It ultimately left us down on pace.”

To complicate matters, Lucas’s boat suffered a shutdown during the crucial shakedown session, costing the team nearly two-thirds of that limited track time. “Losing that time really hurts. In this format, every minute on the water counts.”

The team also faced the ongoing challenge of integrating different engineering philosophies—balancing data-driven decisions with the feel and feedback of the drivers. “That dynamic is natural in a developing team,” Allen reflects. “We were working to harmonize different inputs into a clearer direction.”

The result in Dubrovnik was a disappointing seventh place. While both drivers made strong starts in the races, they lacked the top-end pace to defend their positions—something that stands out starkly in a one-design championship.

Just days later, the team faced another curveball: Performance Coach Steve Curtis accepted a role as Team Principal of Team Brazil. “It was a significant moment,” says Allen. “Steve is a legend in the powerboating world—hugely respected, and someone who’s provided great encouragement to our pilots, especially early in their E1 journeys.” But with the Lago Maggiore race days away, there was no time to dwell.

Enter Tara Pacheco, a four-time Olympian and world-class sailor with extensive experience in foiling boats. “We met Tara in Dubrovnik and I was immediately impressed,” says Allen. “After a quick call following Steve’s departure, it was clear she had the motivation, expertise, and drive to step in immediately.” Pacheco’s arrival gave the team a fresh technical edge. “She brought a structured, detail-oriented mindset and really elevated how we approached setup,” Allen says. “She helped us move beyond just the numbers in the cockpit to understanding what those numbers actually mean on the water.”

At the same time, the team saw another figure step into a pivotal role: Matt Wright, who took over mission control and performance engineering duties in the absence of Farhan Shaikh, our Performance Engineer.  “Matt had shadowed in Dubrovnik, done his homework, and came into Lago Maggiore ready,” Allen recalls. “He was calm, clear, and earned the pilots’ trust from the start. It was impressive.”

The team’s internal transition proved smoother than expected. “We didn’t miss a beat operationally. The atmosphere was positive, the team gelled quickly, and I honestly think we were stronger for it.”

The results told the story: a strong P4 finish and a weekend that felt like a reset. “We were more confident in our prop selection, we maximized testing sessions, and we made strategic calls that put us in great positions,” says Allen. Pacheco’s influence was clear in the team’s technical preparation. “She took us to another level in terms of understanding boat behavior and setup,” he adds.

Wright also proved a natural fit in his new role. “The drivers loved working with him. Communication was clear, timing was sharp, and he brought a composed energy to the team.”

While Sara Price was unlucky in the final—losing position at the first corner and unable to recover—the team showed clear signs of progress across all sessions. Lucas Ordoñez, in particular, delivered an outstanding qualifying lap that placed him third overall. “It’s the kind of performance we know he’s capable of,” says Allen. “And Sara’s pace was also strong—she just didn’t get a clean lap due to traffic early in the session.”

With three races remaining in 2025 E1 Championship—Monaco, Lagos, and Miami—Westbrook Racing is focused on turning progress into podiums. “We need more points, and we need them quickly,” Allen states. “Lago Maggiore was encouraging, but we can’t afford to ease off. We’re aiming for top-three finishes, starting with Monaco.”

The team is also beginning to plan ahead. With Sara’s potential availability challenges in 2026, succession planning is on the radar—and Pacheco, who has already proven invaluable on the technical side, may play a larger role in the future. “There’s definitely a conversation to be had,” says Allen. “She’s shown she’s got what it takes both in and out of the cockpit.”

For now, the team’s focus is immediate: build on the momentum, sharpen strategy, and capitalize on learnings. “The first half of the season tested us,” Allen says. “But it also forced us to grow. We’ve come out of it stronger, clearer in our direction, and more united as a team.”

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