Former F1 driver Di Grassi finds new job after leaving Mahindra
Mediabank Formula E
General
- Ludo van Denderen
Barely two days after leaving Mahindra, Lucas di Grassi has already found a new employer in Formula E. The Brazilian (39) joins ABT, the team with which he took the world drivers' title in the electric class in 2017 and the constructors' title in 2018. At the German team, Di Grassi replaces Robin Frijns, who returned to Envision Racing after one season (full of frustrations).
Di Grassi could not make much of a difference last season with his Mahindra. He mostly finished his races in the rear, although he managed to finish third at the first ePrix of the season. So after one year with the Indian team, the former Virgin Racing F1 driver is already leaving. At ABT Cupra, he will have Nico Müller as his teammate.
"It just feels great to be back with ABT," says Lucas di Grassi. “Not only did I win two titles with this team, but I also have endless memories with all the people who work there with so much passion. I couldn’t be more excited to return after two years and I’m really looking forward to working together. Together, we will give our all to get back, step by step, the results that the whole team deserves."
ABT pleased with technical know-how Di Grassi
Mahindra had a difficult season in 2023, for ABT Cupra it was no different. The German squad is Mahindra's customer team, so Di Grassi will basically have the same equipment as with his previous employer. Only in terms of software - which is very important - there are the necessary differences. But it is all but certain that the Brazilian can play a significant role in Formula E with the ABT Cupra cars.
“We know about the great challenge of battling against international competition as a small customer team,” says Thomas Biermaier, ABT CEO and Team Principal. “That's why experience, technical know-how and full passion for the joint project count all the more for us – with Lucas, we have the perfect man on board for the future.”