Lucas di Grassi and ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport out for revenge
The ninth and penultimate part of our preview of the teams and drivers for the 2016/2017 season is dedicated to ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport, which will finally be trying to win one of the two crowns, notably through its spearhead: Lucas di Grassi.
Still led by the eponymous owner Hans-Jürgen Abt, the German team will once again receive technical and financial support from Audi Sport to compete for both the driver and constructor titles, as it did during the first two seasons of the championship. Indeed, in the second season of the 100% electric discipline, the Abt Schaeffler Audi Sport team finished second in the constructor’s championship, behind Renault e.dams; and also secured that same position in the drivers’ standings, through Lucas Di Grassi.
This year, the support from the brand with the rings will be even stronger, with increased financial and technical commitment from Audi, benefiting the ABT structure. As such, the team can now use Audi Sport’s facilities at the Neuburg base.
A final step, in sum, before an official participation under the name of the Ingolstadt brand for the fourth season! Until then, Audi’s involvement will be directly visible on the sides and on the rear wing of the new ABT Schaeffler, called “FE02”.
Director of Audi Motorsport, the famous Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich illustrated this new battle plan.
« Audi has always used motorsport to test and develop new technologies for use in production models .»
« With quattro technology, we revolutionized rallying as well as racing and significantly raised the standards on the track. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Audi was the first manufacturer to win with a TFSI engine, then a TDI, and then a hybrid, thus writing motorsport history on several occasions.»
« From now on, we intend to repeat this in the context of fully electric car racing. »
Lucas Di Grassi: The 32-year-old Brazilian driver will undoubtedly be one of the strong figures in Formula E for the 2016-2017 season, following an already exemplary career. Already the winner of the very first race in Beijing in September 2014, the Sao Paulo native has shown remarkable consistency: third in the overall drivers’ standings in 2014-2015, Di Grassi further raised his game in 2015-2016. He added three victories to his record: in Putrajaya, Long Beach, and Paris. This without forgetting his cruel disqualification for an only slightly excessive car weight in Mexico, after having stood on the top step of the podium.
But in the end, what spectators remembered most was his constant battle with Sébastien Buemi for the championship title, right up until the final race in London. An epic finale that left a lasting impression, with the first corner collision between the two men for a title decided by securing the fastest lap: only two points separated the contenders! (155 points for Buemi, 153 points for di Grassi)
Beyond his performances in Formula E, let’s note that the former Virgin Racing Formula 1 driver (2010) will still be part of Audi’s official program in WEC until the end of this calendar year 2016, with the continuation subject to confirmation.
In any case, Lucas di Grassi clearly sets his personal goal for this new season: the title, nothing more, nothing less!
Season 3 spirit | @audisport @abt_formula_e @Qualcomm #Aethra #KNM #Fanboost #LucasDiGrassi pic.twitter.com/brAYWfXTht
— LUCAS DI GRASSI (@LucasdiGrassi) 6 octobre 2016
Daniel Abt: Also present in Formula E since its inception, the 23-year-old German is the son of Hans-Jürgen Abt and the nephew of former DTM driver Christian Abt. The Bavarian’s electric journey has seen its ups… but also many downs. The highlights of his season 1 were a third place in Miami and a pole position in Long Beach, not converted into a victory (only 15th at the finish). He also experienced many lows, such as a spin in the first lap of his home race in Berlin, which left him in eleventh position in the final standings with 32 points.
In the same vein, Daniel Abt finished his 2015-2016 season in a modest seventh position in the overall standings, with three podiums achieved in Long Beach, Berlin, and London. Always far behind his teammate (with a 85-point gap between the drivers at the end of season 2!), there’s no doubt that the former GP2 driver will be eager to prove that he can be relied upon to achieve results that match the status of his team!
Very active on social media, Daniel Abt will surely keep his natural charm, bringing fans closer to the daily life of a Formula E driver, as seen in this video published on his YouTube account during the private tests at Donington.
