Biography Lucas di Grassi

The record man

After five years, Lucas di Grassi is the most successful driver in Formula E history: No other driver has scored more podium finishes (30) or points (719). Off the track, the Brazilian is one of the most active ambassadors of electric mobility. 

Lucas di Grassi is a founding member of Formula E: Even long before sitting in an electric race car for the first time, he joined Alejandro Agag in defining the basic parameters and processes of the series behind the scenes and provided important impetus based on his experience. On the race track, the South American is one of the protagonists and favorites for race victories and titles on every race weekend.

Di Grassi’s career as a race driver was by no means in the cards for him. “My family does not have its roots in motorsport. But my uncle had a kart store in Interlagos, so I often went there and drove around,” di Grassi recalls. His karting days are followed by various single-seater classes, victory in the 2005 Grand Prix in Macau, his runner-up finish in the GP2 Series, plus, in 2010, even a season in Formula One. In 2012, Lucas di Grassi is signed as an Audi factory driver and subsequently stands on the podium three times just in the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans. 

In Formula E, Lucas di Grassi has made his mark in the history of the still young series: In September 2014, he wins the inaugural race in Beijing. After four seasons, he looks back on 27 podium finishes – a record in the Formula E field. After clinching third position overall in the first and the runner-up finish in the second year, the title win follows in the 2016/2017 season. In the 2017/2018 season, di Grassi impresses with a unique fightback: after four races, with zero points, ranked at the bottom of the standings, he goes on to score seven podium finishes (a record) in a row, including two victories, and in the end sensationally finishes the championship runner-up.

Outside the cockpit Lucas di Grassi enjoys high recognition in the paddock: with the media as an authentic interview partner who rarely minces his words; with the fans because he fulfills practically every request for a photo or an autograph; and last but not least, with the engineers of his team because he not only delivers strong race results but with his experience and precise feedback also advances the development of the race car. 

Since 2018, he has been an official UN ambassador for clean air and in this role promotes electric mobility and the part Formula E plays in the transformation of mobility – for instance with a short keynote during the 2019 Climate Week in New York City. “A few years ago, I helped design Formula E because it was clear for me that the future belongs to electric cars – on the road and on the race track,” says Lucas di Grassi. In the Formula E documentary “And We Go Green,” Lucas di Grassi plays one of the five leading roles. Academy Award winners Fisher Stevens and Leonardo DiCaprio take the spectators behind the scenes of the electric racing series.

A passion for technology and innovation also defines Lucas di Grassi personal life. He loves all kinds of technical gadgets, develops electric bicycles with a start-up company in Brazil and, since September 2017, has been CEO of Roborace, a company that aims to advance the development of autonomous driving with a spectacular, unmanned car and is also active in Formula E’s supporting program. 

Lucas di Grassi and his wife, Bianca, mainly live in Monaco. The couple’s apartment is just 200 meters away from the start-finish straight of the Formula One and Formula E circuit. “I like the weather here on the Côte d'Azur, have ideal opportunities for sports and can get to the airport quickly,” he says. Since July 2018, the record man’s life has changed: his son, Leonardo, keeps the enthusiastic father on the hop.

Biography

Lucas di Grassi (BR)
Date of birth:August 11, 1984
Place of birth: São Paulo (BR)
Residence: Monaco (MC)
Marital status: married to Bianca, one son (Leonardo)
Height/Weight: 1.80 m/75 kg
Motorsport debut: 1997 (Audi driver since 2012)

Sporting career

1997–2001 Kart, Pan American Kart Champion (2000)
2002 2nd Brazilian Formula Renault Championship
2003 2nd South American Formula 3 Championship
2004 British Formula 3 Championship, 3rd GP Macau, Formula 3 Masters
2005 1st GP Macau, 3rd Formula 3 Euro Series, 3rd Formula 3 Masters, Formula 1 test
2006 GP2 Series, Formula 1 test
2007 2nd GP2 Series, Formula 1 test driver
2008 3rd GP2 Series, Formula 1 reserve driver
2009 3rd GP2 Series, Formula 1 reserve driver
2010 Formula 1
2011 Formula 1 tire test driver, ILMC tests
2012 Formula 1 tire test driver, Nürburgring 24 Hours, 3rd WEC São Paulo (Audi R18 ultra)
2013 3rd Le Mans 24 Hours (Audi R18 e-tron quattro)
2014 2nd Le Mans 24 Hours, 4th FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) (in Audi R18 e-tron quattro at each event)
2015 3rd FIA Formula E, 1 victory, 4th FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) (Audi R18 e-tron quattro)
2016 2nd FIA Formula E, 3 victories, FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), 1 victory (Audi R18), 3rd Le Mans 24 Hours (Audi R18)
2017 1st FIA Formula E, 2 victories
2018 2nd ABB FIA Formula E (Audi e-tron FE04), 2 victories
2019 3rd ABB FIA Formula E (Audi e-tron FE05), 2 victories

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