From wheels to waves: Nerea Martí on E1 Series, coaching karters and F1 Academy
W Series. F1 Academy. ABB FIA Formula E. Nerea Martí is no stranger to the race track. Now, she has swapped cars for boats in an exciting new racing series: the UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF. Taking to the water with Team AlUla Championed by LeBron James in the electric powerboat series, Nerea is one of the most versatile racing drivers of her generation, and she caught up with Females in Motorsport after the E1 Monaco GP.
Nerea started karting when she was nine years old, after her uncle opened a rental karting business in her home town in Spain. She says her racing career began when she was 13, and she climbed through the ranks before stepping up to Spanish F4 in 2019, where she secured a podium on debut with a P2 finish. From there, she made the switch to W Series in 2021, finishing the season as the best-performing rookie, fourth in the drivers’ standings, and points scored in every race.
“W Series was a good step in my career, because I was always competing in Spain, and it was the step to competing in a world championship,” Nerea tells Females in Motorsport. “We were [racing] on the same weekends as F1, so we got really good opportunities, time on track, and racing.”
Nerea competed in F1 Academy in its inaugural 2023 season with Campos Racing, achieving podium finishes in Zandvoort and Monza, before becoming the eighth race winner of the season at Le Castellet. She took on the 2024 campaign with Tommy Hilfiger, still operated by Campos Racing, picking up podiums in Jeddah, Barcelona, Zandvoort, and Abu Dhabi.
“F1 Academy was an opportunity for me to keep competing, and it had more time on track as well,” she says. “With teams also in F2 and F3, like Campos [Racing], it was really important for me to learn from them and also to win, something that for me was impossible, so I'm very grateful about that.
“We got really good resources in both categories. It was good to find my sponsors, and more seats to keep on competing.
“It means a lot to see other female drivers getting visibility, because before F1 Academy, I didn't see too many girls competing in karting, and now I see a lot of change for females in motorsport. I see a lot of girls starting now; they can put on the TV and see us as women competing.”
In 2026, Nerea competes as a pilot for Team AlUla Championed by LeBron James in the E1 Series, an electric powerboat racing championship. She has already made her mark, securing impressive results - notably a third-place finish early on in the season at the Jeddah GP alongside team-mate Rusty Wyatt. Team AlUla are currently third in the championship standings, with races still to go in Miami in November. Nerea explains that in order to maximise performance, pilots must manage specific foil controls such as trim and lift in order to elevate the boat out of the water for maximum speed.
“I'm used to cars, but it's another opportunity, it's another category,” Nerea says. “Everything is new for me, and the performance in the boat is going really well, and I'm learning a lot. I'm really happy with the championship, but also with the team, because it's like a little family.”
Nerea stepped in at the 2025 Lagos GP, and from there she was signed for the 2026 season. She had to partake in three different levels to complete her license to race the E1 RaceBird, including theory and practical tests, taking place across three weeks.
“Team AlUla gave me the opportunity in Lagos last year for the first time. I was faster than they were expecting, so, they were interested in me, and then I had that opportunity, but I think to enter into the championship, you have to be quick, and you have to be competitive,” she says.
Nerea has had to adapt completely from race cars to boats, noting the drastic differences in strategy management and handling the machinery, but she’s delighted to be combining her passions.
“Everything is completely different, but I’m just adapting,” she says. “I thought it would be a lot harder to adapt, but I’ve adapted really quickly. It's also something that I love, the boats and the water; if I can combine [skills] for me, it's perfect.
“We are growing, and I am growing, so I’m really happy about that.”
Growing up as a racing driver, Nerea has a meticulous routine that helps her to prepare. She trains physically everyday, but she also works with a sports psychologist to prepare herself mentally before a race.
“From when I started, I always prepared physically, but also mentally, and it's something that helps me during my career. I think it's even more important than physical preparation,” Nerea says.
Nerea’s parents have a karting team, a school for young drivers to develop their talents, and when she’s in between races, she often coaches the kids competing with the team. She has been able to help them grow as drivers, offering a unique perspective from her first-hand experience in the driver’s seat.
“Sometimes it’s difficult, but it's something I enjoy a lot; they are just starting out so I understand them perfectly. They have the opportunity to work with me and my family, and we have a lot of experience now and a lot of contacts, so they can follow our steps.”
On being a role model for the girls she coaches, Nerea is proud to be a reference for them, and loves being able to support what her family are working on to encourage the next generation of karters.
“I tell them, first, if they want to be a driver, just push for your dreams,” she says. “Nothing is impossible with work and effort. If you want to start, it’s recommended to start with a rental kart to see if you want to dedicate all your time for this, and then if you like it, then the first step is karting - it is, for sure, the base of motorsport.”
Nerea has a strong relationship with Andretti Formula E Team, announced as a Team Ambassador in 2026, after representing them in the ABB FIA Formula E Women’s Tests in both Season 11 and Season 12. Between E1 races, she was trackside with Andretti, supporting the team across race weekends, as well as on the simulator. Like E1, the championship is rooted in sustainability, something that Nerea has expressed strong interest in as her career has progressed.
We can’t wait to see how she continues to progress across the rest of the E1 season, and if her results so far are anything to go by, Nerea Martí is one to watch now more than ever.
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