Lucas di Grassi, after parting ways with the Indian Mahindra team, immediately signed a contract with ABT Cupra – in a sense returning to the team with which he became Formula E champion in 2017.
Previously called ABT Audi Sport, this team enjoyed factory support from the premium division of the Volkswagen Group. When Audi closed its program in the Electric Car Racing World Championship, the German company ABT Sportsline also left Formula E, but announced its return to the electric series in May 2022, but together with another Volkswagen brand: Cupra – is the sports division of the Spanish SEAT SA
It is true that this support cannot be considered factory support in the full sense, because if Audi had everything from its own production, now the team uses Mahindra power plants.
In the tenth anniversary season of Formula E, the 39-year-old Brazilian will become Nico Muller’s new partner.
“We are happy to bring Lucas back to ABT – he is and remains a good friend of our entire team, and he is one of the best Formula E drivers of the past ten years,” said Hans-Jurgen Abt. Chairman of the ABT group.
“We understand that it is very difficult for a small customer team to compete against strong, world-class competitors. That is why experience, technical knowledge and a passionate desire to succeed with our joint project are the most important for us, and Lukas is ideal for this,” said Thomas Biermeier, team leader.
Di Grassi has a very impressive list of achievements: he has finished on the Formula E podium 40 times, more than any other driver. He also has the most wins, namely 13 – for example Jean-Eric Vergne, two-time champion of the electric series, has 11 – and the fastest laps (12).
“It is a pleasure to be back with the ABT team,” said di Grassi. – And not only because I won two championships with her (in 2017 he won the title, and a year later Audi Sport ABT became the best in the team competition) – I also have countless pleasant memories of working with all these people, dedicated to their job.
I am happy to return after two years and look forward to our collaboration. Together we will do everything we can to gradually rise to the previous level and achieve the results the team deserves.”
Di Grassi will return to the wheel of an ABT Cupra for the first time during the official tests, which will take place at the Valencia circuit from October 23 to 27, and will begin preparations for the coming season.
In 2022, the ABT Cupra Formula E team finished last, 11th in the team standings, with just 21 points. By comparison, champions Envision Racing scored 304 points during the season, so di Grassi and Muller will have to work very hard together with the team to at least get closer to the leaders.
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
