The Formula E 'loan' deal that will keep its original missionary winning
OPINION: The departure of Audi from Formula E meant its long-time driver Lucas di Grassi would need to find a new berth to stay on the grid. His deal at Venturi Racing will ensure the championship's first-ever race winner will remain competitive into the final year of the current Gen2 ruleset - although it may not be a long-term fit
Lucas di Grassi has often expressed his upset with the boardroom decision that led Audi to quit Formula E at the close of the most recent 2021 season. Partly that’s because it left the Brazilian, who doesn’t mince his words or emotions, looking for a seat to remain on the grid. But largely, it’s because his connection to the manufacturer runs deep and he fully appreciates the critical role Audi played in reviving his career.
After occupying the back of the Formula 1 field in 2010 at Virgin Racing in a car that was massively underfunded and never set foot in a windtunnel, he spent the next year as the unsung official Pirelli tyre tester. It was a 2012 one-off for his home World Endurance Championship event at Sao Paulo for Audi, in which he set fastest lap before joining team-mates Tom Kristensen and future boss Allan McNish on the podium, that had him don race overalls bearing the four rings for the first time.
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