Former Formula One driver Lucas di Grassi will drive for Audi at the Brazilian round of this year’s World Endurance Championship, it has been confirmed today.
di Grassi, who last drove in Formula One in 2010 for Virgin Racing (now Marussia), will join Allan McNish and Tom Kristensen for the six hour race at Sao Paulo’s Interlagos circuit.
The deal is only for one race.
“The WEC race is a nice opportunity to attract attention at home together with Audi,” says the delighted 28-year-old talent. “Endurance racing is a fascinating discipline of motorsport which I’ve only experienced in tests so far. That’s why I’m particularly excited about my debut in the WEC for Audi alongside two big names like Allan McNish and Tom Kristensen.”
The Sao Paulo native already has sports car experience. In 2009, he tested an Audi R10 for the privateer Kolles team. More recently, di Grassi tested the R18 Ultra for three days earlier this month at Lausitzring in preparation for the event.
“He left a good impression then, which motivated us to sign him,” says Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, head of Audi Motorsport.
Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish will drive as a duo for this weekend’s race at Silverstone. Despite di Grassi’s appearance in the number two Audi next month, the pairing will continue for the remaining rounds of this year’s WEC at Bahrain, Japan and China.
