A routine outing turned tense when Rafael Nadal and his team faced a frightening accident on the water. The accident occurred while qualifying for the E1 Monaco GP, part of the 2025 UIM E1 World Championship.
In a recent Instagram post and follow-up interview, Nadal described the moment when danger struck, and he’s grateful everyone walked away unharmed.
What Did Rafael Nadal See During the Terrifying E1 Collision?
Nadal’s social media post talked about the incident itself. “Today we had an accident in the water,” Nadal wrote. “Fortunately, we are all okay, and that’s the most important thing. In moments like this, the key is to stay together and look ahead with strength and a positive attitude. We remain together, as always, as a team @elteamrafa.”
In a follow-up interview, Nadal showed how scared he was about the accident.
“I was worried,” Nadal said while talking from the accident scene. “It was scary. I was just next to the track with another boat just seeing it real. And I was worried for (pilot) Tom (Chiappe), honestly. Unreal.
“From the side looks dangerous,” Nadal said. “Then when you see it, of course, dangerous but we were a little bit lucky I think and the main thing is he’s okay he’s healthy, and that’s it. Rest of the things doesn’t matter when you went through this.”
The accident happened when Team Rafa’s pilot, Chiappe, collided with Team Brazil’s boat during practice.
How Did the E1 Monaco GP Crash Actually Happen?
Videos showed the dramatic moment when both boats crashed into each other, with Chiappe getting caught in the wake before the collision. Nadal watched it all happen from a nearby support boat, which made the experience even more nerve-wracking for him.
Team Rafa had been performing well, with pilots Chiappe and Cris Lazarraga posting the fastest lap time of 1:22.459 in their first qualifying heat, beating the second-place team by just over half a second.
The E1 Series uses electric RaceBirds that can reach up to 50 knots (58 mph), making accidents particularly dangerous. The championship had been heating up all season, with Team Rafa securing its first-ever victory earlier in the year at Doha.
Despite the scare, Chiappe and Team Brazil pilot Marit Stromoy walked away from the accident without serious injuries. The quick response from safety teams on site helped ensure everyone got back to shore safely, allowing them to regroup and continue their preparations for the race weekend.
