A dream come true
Lucas di Grassi’s dream has come true by conquering the Formula E title in an electrifying season finale in Montreal, Canada.
The ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport they were in a celebratory mood when Lucas di Grassi crossed the finish line as the new Formula E champion after 37 laps in the Montreal Hydro-Quebec ePrix.
After finishing third and second overall in the first two years of the electro racing series, the Brazilian succeeding in founding the holy grail.
“With this title, a dream has come true. Team, family, friends, fans – I could hug them all at once right now,” says Lucas di Grassi. “We’ve had three terrific years with many emotions and unforgettable moments, but today’s achievement is the absolute pinnacle and a deserved reward for our unique team morale and fighting spirit. I’m proud to be the champion of Formula E. Thank you to everyone who has made this possible.”
The 32-year-old Brazilian, who has been residing in Monaco with his wife Bianca for ten years, is among the founding fathers of the electro racing series, as he supported Alejandro Agag and his deputy, Alberto Longo, in the design and concept of Formula E and has since been one of its most enthusiastic e-ambassadors.
On July 30, 2017, he finally came full circle – another reason why this title is so special. Everybody in the paddock or the grandstands is happy for Lucas di Grassi’s achievement.
The 2016/2017 season was a tough one for the new champion as it had became clear that the combo of title-defender Sébastien Buemi and the Renault factory team were always going to be difficult to beat. The Swiss driver’s lead had at one point grown to 43 points, but before the final races in Montreal, di Grassi had brought himself within striking distance with a ten-point deficit and now sits at the top of the table for the very first time this season – and at the perfect moment too.
“I’m incredibly happy. Today we were rewarded for never giving up,” says Team Principal Hans-Jürgen Abt. “This title for me is on par with the first DTM triumph in 2002. At that time we were the underdogs as well, and we caused a sensation that many hadn’t even imagined. My thanks go to Lucas, Daniel, the entire team, the partners and of course the fans: you have all shown what’s possible when you pull together and believe in one another.”
The finale in Montreal also marks the end of a small era in Formula E, as ABT Sportsline is handing over its grid position to Audi, which is entering the series with a factory-backed commitment, pushing forward the development together with Schaeffler and will race under the name Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler. ABT Sportsline will remain as the supervising team. “Lucas’s title and our second place in the team rankings is a fantastic way to say goodbye to three splendid, exciting years. We are proud to have been one of the founding members of Formula E in 2014 and hopefully to have left behind a small legacy in the series.”
In the 33 Formula races of the first three years, ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport made a total 24 podiums and is therefore the most successful team on the grid. Lucas di Grassi has won six times – including at Formula E’s debut in September 2014 in Beijing.
F-E 2017/18 calendar unveiled
Formula E has unveiled its 2017/18 calendar following the FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting in Geneva. It will feature a more compact schedule, including three double-headers and three new venues: Santiago, San Paulo and Rome. The fourth edition of the world’s first fully-electric single-seat racing series comprises the most races to appear on the tour since It began in 2014.
The F-E cars will open the season in Hong Kong for a second year in a row on December 2-3, 2017, a first double-header to take place in Asia. F-E will then stop at new locations in South America and Europe, with races in the Chilean capital of Santiago in February, a first race in Brazil on the street of San Paulo in March, and then Rome in mid-April.
The electric street racing will be returning Les Invalides in Paris for the first edition on April 28. For the penultimate event F-E will make a come back in the Big Apple, while the season will close once again over the course of two days in Montreal on July 28-29.
Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of Formula E, said: “It’s exciting news to welcome a number of new host cities on the Formula E calendar, as well as seeing existing locations build on the success of previous events. Formula E is continuing to expand the calendar and the number of cities in key markets, in addition to the growing list of partners and manufacturers joining the electric revolution. Our priority is to consolidate a calendar with long-term agreements with host cities – the schedule for Season 4 is a step in the right direction.”
Today’s Quote
“The cars make a really cool sound, almost like fighter-jet kind of sound. We like to call it the sound of the future.” Alejandro Agag
Monaco Reporter 