Lucas di Grassi has signed a contract with Mahindra for the upcoming Formula E season

The 2016/17 electric formula world champion Lucas di Grassi has found a new job with Mahindra Racing. He will become Oliver Rowland’s new teammate from next season, which will see the introduction of the brand new third-generation cars.

The Brazilian will replace Alexander Sims, whose four-year journey in the Formula E series comes to an end this weekend in Seoul. Mahindra’s new pairing of di Grassi and Rowland will begin working together to test the car for the new era of Formula E, which begins next season.

The origins of Di Grassi’s contract with Mahindra date back to last summer. At the same time, he signed with the Venturi team after his previous employer Audi Sport Abt announced its departure from Formula E. The Brazilian’s adventure at Venturi, where he drove alongside Edoardo Mortara, will therefore not be long-lived.

“Joining Mahindra represents a new challenge in my career. The timing couldn’t be better, everyone is starting from scratch with the introduction of a new generation of cars,” said di Grassi.

“Our short-term goal is to win races. The long term is to win the championship for Mahindra Racing and become a global icon in electric racing.”

Mahindra Racing team principal Dilbagh Gill has no doubt about di Grassi’s talent and ability. “Lucas is one of the best drivers in Formula E history, the statistics speak for themselves. We believe that Lucas has all the attributes necessary to easily get to grips with our third generation programme in the coming weeks.”

Di Grassi has won a total of thirteen races in his career, sharing the top spot in the historical tables with Sébastien Buemi. The last time the thirty-eight-year-old Sao Paulo native triumphed was at the London E-Prix in July.

Di Grassi is currently sixth in the overall standings in this year’s Formula E. He trails leader Stoffel Vandoorne by an unbeatable 74 points.

Source: FIA Formula E, The Race