Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe
Lucas Di Grassi, Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler, Audi e-tron FE07,  Edoardo Mortara, Venturi Racing, Silver Arrow 02
Autosport Plus
Analysis

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.  

Previous article Di Grassi joins Venturi Formula E squad alongside Mortara
Next article How Mercedes and De Vries achieved Formula E glory the hard way

More from Matt Kew

Hulkenberg: Smaller F1 teams need “unorthodox” strategies to score points

Hulkenberg: Smaller F1 teams need “unorthodox” strategies to score points

F1 Formula 1
Hulkenberg: Smaller F1 teams need “unorthodox” strategies to score points Hulkenberg: Smaller F1 teams need “unorthodox” strategies to score points
Sauber: Audi's accelerated F1 takeover a boost for short term

Sauber: Audi's accelerated F1 takeover a boost for short term

F1 Formula 1
Sauber: Audi's accelerated F1 takeover a boost for short term Sauber: Audi's accelerated F1 takeover a boost for short term
RB sets end-of-2024 date for moving to new Milton Keynes F1 facility

RB sets end-of-2024 date for moving to new Milton Keynes F1 facility

F1 Formula 1
RB sets end-of-2024 date for moving to new Milton Keynes F1 facility RB sets end-of-2024 date for moving to new Milton Keynes F1 facility
Ricciardo: RB has identified a few flaws with 2024 F1 car

Ricciardo: RB has identified a few flaws with 2024 F1 car

F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Ricciardo: RB has identified a few flaws with 2024 F1 car Ricciardo: RB has identified a few flaws with 2024 F1 car
Vettel sent Bearman 'good luck' message ahead of Saudi Arabian F1 debut

Vettel sent Bearman 'good luck' message ahead of Saudi Arabian F1 debut

F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Vettel sent Bearman 'good luck' message ahead of Saudi Arabian F1 debut Vettel sent Bearman 'good luck' message ahead of Saudi Arabian F1 debut
Massa files lawsuit against FIA, FOM over 2008 F1 Singapore GP

Massa files lawsuit against FIA, FOM over 2008 F1 Singapore GP

F1 Formula 1
Massa files lawsuit against FIA, FOM over 2008 F1 Singapore GP Massa files lawsuit against FIA, FOM over 2008 F1 Singapore GP
Russell: Mercedes "getting slower" during F1 rounds instead of rivals improving

Russell: Mercedes "getting slower" during F1 rounds instead of rivals improving

F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabian GP
Russell: Mercedes "getting slower" during F1 rounds instead of rivals improving Russell: Mercedes "getting slower" during F1 rounds instead of rivals improving
The impatient pair who’d hoped to be a thorn in Red Bull’s side again

The impatient pair who’d hoped to be a thorn in Red Bull’s side again

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
Bahrain GP
The impatient pair who’d hoped to be a thorn in Red Bull’s side again The impatient pair who’d hoped to be a thorn in Red Bull’s side again

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe