Lucas di Grassi to retire from Formula E at end of Season 12

By Teagan Crump

Formula E Season 3 champion Lucas di Grassi has announced that he will be retiring from professional racing at the end of Season 12.

Credit: Simon Galloway/LAT Images

Lola Yamaha ABT and Lucas di Grassi have today announced that the Brazilian driver will be retiring from professional racing after the final race of Season 12 after a 12-year career.

di Grassi was the first driver to commit to the all-electric series and won the first-ever race for the series in 2014. Since then, di Grassi has won 12 further races, claimed 41 podiums and 1,077 points to date.

Follwing the announcement, Lucas di Grassi said: “After a lifetime dedicated to racing, 2026 will mark my final season as a professional racing driver and the beginning of a new chapter. Motorsport has been my life for as long as I can remember, giving me discipline and grit before I knew why I needed them, and purpose in moments when the road ahead was far from clear.

“From the suburbs of São Paulo to Monaco, racing shaped my life in ways I could never have imagined. It changed me profoundly as a driver, person, father, and human being. I gave everything I had to this sport, and in return, it gave me a life beyond anything I could have dreamed of.

“I am deeply grateful to my family, who supported me from day one through every sacrifice, difficult decision, victory, and defeat. Without their love, patience, and belief, none of this would have been possible. It is with them, especially my wonderful wife and children, that I have made this decision.

“I’d like to say a very special thank you to Formula E, where I have spent the last fourteen years surrounded by extraordinary people, people who started writing on napkins and created an amazing championship that I now consider my home. This decision comes with emotion, but also with peace. Every great race has a final lap, and I want mine to be driven with the same intensity, commitment, and love that brought me here. I will give everything in my final races and I will share more news with you soon about the bright future ahead.”

Mark Preston, Team Principal, Lola Yamaha ABT added: “We are very proud to be the team that Lucas will end his professional racing career with. His contribution to Formula E is unmatched and he played an invaluable role in Lola’s return to top tier motorsport. We look forward to seeing what he does next, in both this series and beyond.”

CEO ABT Sportsline, Thomas Biermaier stated: “Lucas has shaped the Formula E project at ABT from day one and is truly part of the ABT family. He played a key role in building and developing our programme, bringing in his experience and vision. Winning the championship in 2017 was the well-deserved highlight of his journey and a milestone in our history. Lucas was always more than just a driver. He was a leader, a fighter and a true team player who had a significant impact on our success. He will always remain a friend of ABT. We are very grateful for everything we have achieved together and wish him all the best for the future.“

Alejandro Agag, Co-founder and Chairman of Formula E said: "Lucas is not just a driver; he is part of the Formula E family. From the inception of Formula E, which he helped shape, and the very first race in Beijing in 2014, Lucas has been a strong competitor and a fundamental part of the championship's growth. His passion for electric racing has been invaluable to the series. While we will miss seeing him behind the wheel, his legacy as a World Champion and passion for innovation in sustainability lives on in Formula E. We wish him nothing but the best in his next chapter, and I have no doubt he will continue to be a driving force in the future of motorsport."

“Lucas has been synonymous with Formula E since the very beginning. He hasn’t just raced, he has believed in the mission of electric mobility from day one, and his competitive spirit has helped drive this series forward to where it is today. While the end of this season will be a farewell from an incredible chapter behind the wheel, we fully expect to see Lucas remain closely involved in the championship going forward. His influence on this sport will have a permanent impact. I’d like to thank him for his commitment and the energy he brought to every race; he’s been an incredible ambassador for what we’re building, and I know he’ll give it everything he’s got until the very last centimetre of the final race,” Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds said.

Lucas di Grassi will finish the season with Lola Yamaha ABT and will help them to develop their GEN4 car.