Di Grassi joins Racing Engineering
Lucas di Grassi is to return to GP2 to lead Racing Engineering's bid for a second successive title
The 24-year-old Brazilian challenged Timo Glock for the 2007 GP2 championship before focusing on Formula One testing with Renault. But he made a surprise return to the series with Campos halfway through last year and proceeded to grab third in the standings despite missing the first six rounds.
Di Grassi was also evaluated as a contender for a Honda F1 drive this year before the manufacturer withdrew.
"Contrary to last year, I will be able to participate in the GP2 Championship from the very beginning," said di Grassi, who has made 55 GP2 starts since first joining the series with Durango in 2006.
"I believe that after a good season, and testing with the Renault F1 team and Honda Racing, I am more ready than ever to fight for the title. I feel very motivated and I will push to the limit to bring it home."
Racing Engineering have already signed Formula 3 graduate Dani Clos for their second car. The team will run under the Fat Burner Racing Engineering title this season.
Team boss Alfonso de Orleans Borbon is targeting a title double this year, having taken Giorgio Pantano to last year's crown.
"Not only are Dani and Lucas good friends but I am sure their working relationship will also be very fruitful," said de Orleans Borbon.
"With Lucas' experience in GP2 and Formula One, and also bearing in mind Dani's recent tests in F1, it is logical to think that with such a line-up all our goals will be directed towards winning the drivers and teams' titles this season."
Hamilton accepts blame for incident with Albon in F1 Brazilian GP
Hamilton accepts blame for incident with Albon in F1 Brazilian GP Hamilton accepts blame for incident with Albon in F1 Brazilian GP
Ferrari drivers escape punishment after Brazilian GP F1 collision
Ferrari drivers escape punishment after Brazilian GP F1 collision Ferrari drivers escape punishment after Brazilian GP F1 collision
Will Alonso's Indy failure end the age of versatility?
Will Alonso's Indy failure end the age of versatility? Will Alonso's Indy failure end the age of versatility?
Cadillac enters second Hypercar for WEC Spa 6 Hours
Cadillac enters second Hypercar for WEC Spa 6 Hours Cadillac enters second Hypercar for WEC Spa 6 Hours
Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion
Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion
Honda appeals Marc Marquez's MotoGP penalty change
Honda appeals Marc Marquez's MotoGP penalty change Honda appeals Marc Marquez's MotoGP penalty change
2023 MotoGP Argentina Grand Prix – How to watch, session and sprint race times
2023 MotoGP Argentina Grand Prix – How to watch, session and sprint race times 2023 MotoGP Argentina Grand Prix – How to watch, session and sprint race times
Ranking the 10 best drivers from F1's junior series in 2022
Ranking the 10 best drivers from F1's junior series in 2022 Ranking the 10 best drivers from F1's junior series in 2022
The next steps for France's latest F1 hopeful after an F2 title miss
The next steps for France's latest F1 hopeful after an F2 title miss The next steps for France's latest F1 hopeful after an F2 title miss
The remarkable career turnaround of an ever-improving F2 talent
The remarkable career turnaround of an ever-improving F2 talent The remarkable career turnaround of an ever-improving F2 talent
What the future holds for two Red Bull juniors fighting in the F2 battleground
What the future holds for two Red Bull juniors fighting in the F2 battleground What the future holds for two Red Bull juniors fighting in the F2 battleground
The problem sausage kerbs continue to cause
The problem sausage kerbs continue to cause The problem sausage kerbs continue to cause
The on-form F1 protege carrying America's hopes on his shoulders
The on-form F1 protege carrying America's hopes on his shoulders The on-form F1 protege carrying America's hopes on his shoulders
What racing in Australia means for the future of F1's junior series
What racing in Australia means for the future of F1's junior series What racing in Australia means for the future of F1's junior series
The other Doohan charting his way to motorsport success
The other Doohan charting his way to motorsport success The other Doohan charting his way to motorsport success
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.