Lucas Tucci Di Grassi Racer Date of Birth: 11.08.1984 Country: Brazil

1. Early Career and Karting Beginnings
2. Formula Racing Debut
3. Graduating to Formula 3
4. Formula 1 Aspiration
5. Success in GP2
6. Formula 1 Debut

Early Career and Karting Beginnings

Lucas di Grassi began his racing career in karting in 2000, where he achieved a notable fifth place in the Formula A championship.

Formula Racing Debut

In 2002, di Grassi transitioned to formula racing in the Brazilian Formula Renault series, finishing as runner-up to Sergio Jimenez.

Graduating to Formula 3

Di Grassi progressed to the faster Formula 3 class in 2003, competing in the South American Formula 3 championship. Despite missing the final six races due to an accident, he finished second overall with one victory and 11 podiums.

In 2004, di Grassi embarked on a European campaign in the Formula 3 Euro Series, earning a best result of fourth place at Pau. He also signed with Hitech Racing for the British Formula 3 Championship, securing two wins and an eighth-place finish overall. Notably, he finished third in his debut race at the prestigious Macau Grand Prix.

Formula 1 Aspiration

In 2005, di Grassi returned to the Formula 3 Euro Series full-time with Manor Motorsport. He managed one victory and a third-place finish overall, despite the dominance of Lewis Hamilton. He also triumphed at the Macau Grand Prix, beating future Formula 1 rivals Sebastian Vettel, Bruno Senna, and Robert Kubica.

In 2006, di Grassi made his debut in the GP2 series, which supported Formula 1. With Team Durango, he had a modest first season, scoring only eight points and finishing 17th in the championship.

Success in GP2

Di Grassi joined the reigning champion ART Grand Prix in 2007. He consistently earned points and only missed the podium once in his first 13 races. Despite not securing many victories, he finished second overall, behind his future Virgin Racing teammate Timo Glock. His first GP2 victory came in Istanbul, but Glock overtook him in the Sunday sprint race.

In 2008, di Grassi contributed to the testing of the new GP2 car used from 2008 to 2010. He then competed with Campos Racing from round 4, scoring three second-place finishes and a fourth-place finish. Two further victories followed, and he finished third overall, 13 points behind Giorgio Pantano.

Di Grassi remained in the series in 2009 with Racing Engineering and repeated his third-place finish, matching his points total from 2008.

Formula 1 Debut

In 2010, di Grassi joined Timo Glock at the newly-formed Virgin Racing team for the Formula 1 season. Initially known as Manor, the team was renamed after Virgin Group owner Richard Branson purchased a 20% stake.