Brazilian and 2016-17 FIA Formula E World Champion Lucas di Grassi has called time on his career in Motorsport. It will conclude at the end of Season 12 in London.
It has been an extraordinarily successful time in the series for the 41-year-old. He won the very first race in Formula E at Beijing in 2014. 12 more wins followed, the last one coming in London during the 2021-22 campaign.
After finishing 3rd and 2nd in the first two seasons, di Grassi became champion by defeating arch rival Sebastien Buemi in 2016-17. He was no lower than 3rd in the first five seasons in the championship.
However, he never featured as a big title contender from there as a lack of car performance and lots of young talent coming into the series saw di Grassi slowly fall away. One podium in the last four seasons (Miami) is a disappointing return for the former World Champion.
The one-season F1 driver also finished 2nd at Le Mans and overall in the World Endurance Championship. A very successful career comes to a close later this year.
Lucas di Grassi, Lola Yamaha ABT Formula E Team:
“After a lifetime dedicated to racing, 2026 will mark my final season as a professional racing driver and the beginning of a new chapter. 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 fourteen 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.”
Mark Preston, Team Principal, Lola Yamaha ABT:
“We are very proud to be the team that Lucas will end his professional racing career with. 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.”
Thomas Biermaier, CEO ABT Sportsline:
“Lucas has shaped the Formula E project at ABT from day one and is truly part of the ABT family. He played a key role in building and developing our programme, 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.“
Alejandro Agag, Co-founder and Chairman, Formula E:
“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. 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.”
Jeff Dodds, CEO, Formula E:
“Lucas has been synonymous with Formula E since the very beginning. He hasn’t just raced, he has believed in the mission of electric mobility from day one, and his competitive spirit has helped drive this series forward to where it is today. While the end of this season will be a farewell from an incredible chapter behind the wheel, we fully expect to see Lucas remain closely involved in the championship going forward. His influence on this sport will have a permanent impact. I’d like to thank him for his commitment and the energy he brought to every race; he’s been an incredible ambassador for what we’re building, and I know he’ll give it everything he’s got until the very last centimetre of the final race.”
