Brazilian-born pop artist Romero Britto is set to transform the E1 Miami GP 2026 season finale into an open-air exhibition, bringing his signature colorful designs to the all-electric raceboat championship on Nov. 13-14.
The Miami-based artist has partnered with the E1 World Championship to create three exclusive ocean-inspired characters, a manatee, a turtle and a dolphin, representing protected marine species found in Florida waters. Britto’s vibrant artwork will feature throughout the VIP E1 Ocean Club hospitality area, alongside a specially designed trophy for the top qualifier and an E1 raceBird photo opportunity.
The collaboration comes as E1 prepares to host its first championship double-header, with the season’s final two rounds taking place on Biscayne Bay. Round six is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 13, followed by round seven on Saturday, Nov. 14, when the 2026 Champions of the water will be crowned.
“This collaboration is a perfect fit for E1’s season finale in Miami with Romero’s colour, vibrancy and energy capturing exactly what makes E1 so exciting,” said Jamie Copas, CEO of the E1 World Championship, in a press release.
“Romero pays homage to the work undertaken by E1 and its teams to conserve, protect and enhance marine wildlife while highlighting iconic marine species that call the Miami coastline home in a fun and playful way.”
Founded to promote innovation in electric marine technology and environmental sustainability, E1 is the world’s first all-electric raceboat championship sanctioned by the Union Internationale Motonautique, the international governing body for powerboating.
The championship features teams consisting of one male and one female pilot competing in electric RaceBird boats on technical water circuits in cities around the world, including Monaco, Lagos and Miami.
The series has attracted several high-profile team owners from the sports and entertainment industries, including seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, NBA star LeBron James and singer Marc Anthony.
For Britto, the collaboration marks another opportunity to combine his artistic career with the world of professional sports.
Born in Recife, Brazil, in 1963, Britto is a self-taught painter and sculptor whose distinctive style combines elements of cubism, pop art and graffiti. After moving to Miami in the late 1980s, he developed an international reputation for his bold patterns made with vibrant colors and optimism through creative expression. In 1992, he founded the Happy Art Movement, an artistic philosophy centered on spreading happiness, love and optimism through creative expression.
His artwork has been exhibited in galleries and museums across more than 120 countries, according to his official website, and his career has included several collaborations with major international sporting events.
Britto participated in the opening ceremony of Super Bowl XLI alongside Cirque du Soleil, served as the official artist for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and was an ambassador for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. He also served as an honorary torchbearer and ambassador for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Now, Britto will bring his artistic philosophy to the waterfront of the city he has called home for nearly four decades.
“Miami is where my art found its home, and E1 shares that same spirit of innovation and joy,” Britto said in the release. “I’m excited for guests and fans to experience these new designs across the E1 Miami GP 2026 season finale”
Fans purchasing VIP E1 Ocean Club passes through the championship’s official ticketing partner, Fever, will also receive exclusive items from a limited-edition E1 x Britto capsule collection.
A limited number of passes remain available for Friday, Saturday, or both race days, according to E1.
Senior at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism
UMD '27