Team AlUla, backed by NBA icon LeBron James, claimed pole position at the Lake Como GP 2026 presented by Villa d'Este after a tight qualifying session.
Pilots Rusty Wyatt and Nerea Marti steered the team's RaceBird to the top of the grid. Westbrook Racing's Sara Price pushed AlUla hardest before Wyatt's composed second lap settled the contest. Team Monaco and Sierra Racing Club, both 2026 season newcomers, also made it through to the pole position shootout alongside Westbrook.
It was a tougher day for some of the championship's leading contenders. Aoki Racing Team and Team Brady arrived in Como first and second in the overall standings following the season opener in Jeddah, but both were eliminated in Q2 alongside Team Blue Rising and Team Rafa. All four will need to work through the field on Saturday.
NBA star Kyle Kuzma was on hand to watch his team, Sierra Racing Club, race on the water for the first time since he was announced as one of the sport's latest high-profile team owners.
Rusty Wyatt, Pilot for Team AlUla, said: "It was amazing. We definitely didn't have the first lap we wanted - we were bouncing around a little bit - but we turned it around for the second lap. It felt super good. I'm so happy for the team. P1 to start the weekend!"
Nerea Marti, Pilot for Team AlUla, said: "I'm really happy we are in P1. I'm excited because it's the first pole for me in the team."
AlUla heads into race day looking to build on a podium finish in Jeddah, with Westbrook Racing also well placed to close the gap at the top of the standings.
Jamie Copas, Chief Executive Officer, E1, said: "It's great to kick off the European leg of the season here in Lake Como, one of the most iconic race backdrops we visit. It captures everything E1 stands for - world-class racing from world-class pilots, incredible entertainment, and all in a location of natural beauty. We are delighted to welcome our newest team owners Kyle Kuzma and Thibaut Courtois to their very first race tomorrow. The stage for tomorrow is perfectly set, the grid is as competitive as it has ever been, and our guests and fans are in for a tremendous day of electrifying racing."
