“We are delighted to continue our journey in Formula E with Lucas. Not only is he a great ambassador for our team and the entire championship, but like all of us, he is eager and fully motivated to finally be successful again,” says ABT CEO Thomas Biermaier. “We know that working with a new manufacturer brings many challenges. This makes it all the more important for us to have the most experienced driver at our side in Lucas, in addition to the permanent members of the team.” Lucas di Grassi has competed in 131 Formula E races – more than any other driver.
“Having a driver with such experience, skill and dedication as Lucas is a huge boost as a new manufacturer entering the series. These attributes, combined with his existing relationship with ABT, make Lucas the ideal person to have at the wheel for our return to motorsport,” says Lola Cars Motorsport Director, Mark Preston. “His knowledge and feedback during testing have already proven invaluable and we look forward to hitting the track together in Season 11.
“ABT is my family. I have experienced the best moments of my career there and have full confidence in the people who work hard every day to achieve success – so I am happy that we are also tackling the new challenges together,” says Lucas di Grassi. The Brazilian has driven the first meters of the new era himself: In mid-June he drove the shakedown of the Lola Yamaha race car in Great Britain. It was the first outing for the new GEN3 EVO design with the newly developed powertrain. “It’s a very exciting project with people who know what it takes to be successful in Formula E, alongside two renowned brands in Lola and Yamaha with a wealth of motorsport heritage and technical prowess,” says di Grassi. “We have a few busy weeks ahead of us. Together we will do everything we can to be successful as soon as possible."
After a one-year break, ABT returned to Formula E at the beginning of 2023 with CUPRA as its partner and has since started with a powertrain from Mahindra Racing. The new set-up will see ABT continue to leverage its extensive experience to run the operations of the race team, with specialist support from Lola as manufacturer – the British brand working in partnership with Yamaha to develop the powertrain and related software.