Formula E pioneer di Grassi announces he will retire at season’s end

Lucas di Grassi has announced he will retire from competitive motorsport at the end of the current Formula E season. The Brazilian has been a mainstay of the all-electric championship since its inception, having been a development driver for it prior to the inaugural season in 2014-15.

“After a lifetime dedicated to racing, 2026 will mark my final season as a professional racing driver and the beginning of a new chapter,” said di Grassi. “Motorsport has been my life for as long as I can remember, giving me discipline and grit before I knew why I needed them, and purpose in moments when the road ahead was far from clear.

“From the suburbs of São Paulo to Monaco, racing shaped my life in ways I could never have imagined. It changed me profoundly as a driver, person, father, and human being. I gave everything I had to this sport, and in return, it gave me a life beyond anything I could have dreamed of.

“I am deeply grateful to my family, who supported me from day one through every sacrifice, difficult decision, victory, and defeat. Without their love, patience, and belief, none of this would have been possible. It is with them, especially my wonderful wife and children, that I have made this decision.

“I’d like to say a very special thank you to Formula E, where I have spent the last 14 years surrounded by extraordinary people, people who started writing on napkins and created an amazing championship that I now consider my home.

“This decision comes with emotion, but also with peace. Every great race has a final lap, and I want mine to be driven with the same intensity, commitment, and love that brought me here. I will give everything in my final races and I will share more news with you soon about the bright future ahead.”

Di Grassi (at right) with a prototype FE car prior to the series launch. Photo courtesy of Formula E.

Across 12 seasons in Formula E di Grassi has won 13 races in the category – including the very first race for the championship in Beijing. He finished on the podium a further 28 times, secured four pole positions and took the 2016-17 title for ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport.

"Lucas is not just a driver; he is part of the Formula E family. From the inception of Formula E, which he helped shape, and the very first race in Beijing in 2014, Lucas has been a strong competitor and a fundamental part of the championship's growth,” said Formula E co-founder and chairman Alejandro Agag. “His passion for electric racing has been invaluable to the series. While we will miss seeing him behind the wheel, his legacy as a world champion and passion for innovation in sustainability lives on in Formula E. We wish him nothing but the best in his next chapter, and I have no doubt he will continue to be a driving force in the future of motorsport."

Di Grassi spent most of his Formula E career with German outfit Abt through its spells as a partner team to Audi, Cupra, and currently Lola-Yamaha – making 121 of his 153 starts in the series to date with the team. He also drove for Venturi and Mahindra.

“Lucas has shaped the Formula E project at ABT from day one and is truly part of the ABT family,” said Thomas Biermaier, CEO of ABT Sportsline. “He played a key role in building and developing our program, bringing in his experience and vision. Winning the championship in 2017 was the well-deserved highlight of his journey and a milestone in our history.

“Lucas was always more than just a driver. He was a leader, a fighter and a true team player who had a significant impact on our success. He will always remain a friend of ABT. We are very grateful for everything we have achieved together and wish him all the best for the future.“

Away from Formula E, di Grassi was a three-time top-three finisher in GP2 and spent a season in Formula 1 with Virgin Racing, moving to the then-new team in 2010 after a spell as a test driver for Renault.

He was a part of Audi's World Endurance Championship lineup from 2012-16, winning twice – at Spa and Bahrain in his final season, a year where he enjoyed a best championship finish of second.

The Brazilian currently sits 20th in the Formula E standings after six rounds with his best finish of 12 coming at the previous round in Madrid. 11 rounds of the season – and di Grassi's career – remain, with two races coming up in Berlin this weekend.

“We are very proud to be the team that Lucas will end his professional racing career with,” said Lola Yamaha Abt team principal Mark Preston. “His contribution to Formula E is unmatched and he played an invaluable role in Lola’s return to top tier motorsport. We look forward to seeing what he does next, in both this series and beyond.”