Lucas di Grassi ends his career: Farewell to a Formula E legend

– Lucas di Grassi will end his racing career at the end of the 2025/26 Formula E season. The 41-year-old announced this in an emotional video on Instagram.

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The Brazilian made his professional racing debut in 2002 in Formula Renault Brazil before starting a 24-year career competing in various racing series.

However, di Grassi is best known for his time in Formula E: He was the first driver to commit to the all-electric series when it debuted in 2014. He also won the opening race in Beijing that year.

Since then, the Brazilian has competed every season and, with the 2016/17 title win with Abt and 13 race victories, has become one of the most successful drivers in the electric racing series.

Recently, however, things have been tougher for the veteran: Since 2023, he has not finished higher than 15th in the championship. In the first six races of the 2025/26 season with Lola, he is still without world championship points.

Di Grassi says ahead of this weekend’s ePrix in Berlin: “After a life dedicated to motorsport, 2026 will be my last season as a professional racing driver and at the same time the beginning of a new chapter.”

“Motorsport has been my life for as long as I can remember. It gave me discipline and determination before I knew why I would need them, and it gave me goals when the path forward was anything but clear.”

“From the suburbs of Sao Paulo to Monaco, motorsport has shaped me in ways I could never have imagined. It has profoundly changed me as a driver, as a human being, as a father, and as a person.”

“I have given this sport everything I had, and in return, it has given me a life I could never have dreamed of. I am deeply grateful to my family.”

“They have supported me from the beginning through every sacrifice, every difficult decision, every victory, and every defeat. Without their love, patience, and belief in me, none of this would have been possible.”

“Together with them, especially my wonderful wife and my children, I have made this decision. I want to express a very special thanks to Formula E.”

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“For the past 14 years, I have been surrounded by extraordinary people. People who once sketched plans on napkins and created a great championship that I now call my home.”

“This decision is accompanied by emotions but also by inner peace. Every big race has a final lap. I want to race mine with the same intensity, commitment, and passion that have brought me this far.”

Di Grassi will announce his future plans at a later date. For now, he will complete the rest of the Formula E season, which ends on August 15 and 16 in London.

“Lucas has symbolized Formula E since the beginning,” says series CEO Jeff Dodds. “He has not only raced but has carried the mission of electromobility from the start.”

“His fighting spirit has helped bring this series to where it is today. His retirement means saying goodbye to an incredible chapter behind the wheel, but we hope Lucas will remain connected to us in the future.”

“His influence on this sport will leave lasting marks. I want to thank him for his dedication and the energy he brought to every race. He was an incredible ambassador.”

Di Grassi also looks back on an impressive career outside the all-electric series: In 2016, he was runner-up with Audi in the FIA World Endurance Championship WEC.

That was the last of his three full WEC seasons. He also achieved three podium finishes at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, all with the German manufacturer.

Di Grassi also competed in the 2010 Formula 1 World Championship with Virgin Racing but was replaced in 2011 by Jerome d’Ambrosio as Timo Glock’s teammate.

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