Formula E: ABT Lola confirms that Lucas di Grassi will continue with the team

No surprise, but now it's official: Lucas di Grassi will continue to drive for ABT in the upcoming 2024/25 Formula E season. Only the colours have changed: Due to the fresh manufacturer connection with newcomer Lola Yamaha, the ABT race car is now blue and yellow. It is not yet known who will drive alongside di Grassi following the departure of Nico Müller.

Lucas di Grassi, who has been involved in Formula E since Day 1, will continue to compete in the electric series, even though he has just completed the "worst season of his career", according to his own statement. The 39-year-old will therefore likely extend his record for the most races contested (currently 131). It is already the eleventh Formula E year for the 2017 champion, a statistic that he shares with Sebastien Buemi, Jean-Eric Vergne, Sam Bird and Antonio Felix da Costa.

Di Grassi helped develop the first Formula E car before its debut year and provided important feedback from a driver's perspective. This talent is also available to the new manufacturer Lola Yamaha, which has developed and is already testing its first Formula E drive. "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," says ABT CEO Thomas Biermaier.

"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."

Preston: “ideal person for our return to motorsport”

The Brazilian has already completed the first meters in his new vehicle during a private test drive in Great Britain in June. "His knowledge and feedback during testing have already proven invaluable," says Mark Preston, Motorsport Director of Lola Cars. "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."

Interesting observation: the number 24 is emblazoned on the test car. Is di Grassi giving up his number 11 after many years, or is the 24 just a reference to the current entry year?

Di Grassi: "ABT is my family"

"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," said Lucas di Grassi. "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. We have a few busy weeks ahead of us. Together we will do everything we can to be successful as soon as possible."

The switch to the new power unit supplier Lola in combination with Yamaha marks the end of ABT's partnership with Mahindra and ZF, who have supplied the team's engine for the past two seasons. The partnership with Cupra, which entered the electric series together with the Kempten-based team, has also come to an end after two years. The team name has therefore also changed from ABT Cupra to ABT Lola.

And there will be another new component at the start of the season at the end of 2024: di Grassi's team-mate. As Nico Müller has decided to leave the team after this season, his cockpit will have to be filled. It is not yet known who will take on this role. Kelvin van der Linde could have a good chance of becoming a full-time driver in the electric series, as he has already completed several races as a reserve driver. Norman Nato, Sacha Fenestraz and Jehan Daruvala may also have contacted ABT, as they may be looking for a new seat.

additional reporting by Svenja König