Formula E legend announces retirement from motorsport

Formula E legend Lucas di Grassi has announced that he will retire from motorsport at the end of the year.

The Brazilian, referred to by many as 'Mr Formula E' for being part of the group that led to the creation of the championship, will bow out of the series following the London season finale this August.

Di Grassi has started almost every Formula E race since the opening E-Prix in Beijing in 2014, while his career also saw him race in Formula 1 and the World Endurance Championship (WEC).

He secured the Formula E title in the category's third campaign, while his most recent podium came in Miami last season.

It marks the end of a real era in the all-electric series, although he will continue supporting Lola Yamaha ABT in its Gen4 development.

"After a lifetime dedicated to racing, 2026 will mark my final season as a professional racing driver and the beginning of a new chapter," said di Grassi. "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."

Di Grassi's glittering career

Thirteen wins, 41 podiums and 1,077 points do not do di Grassi's Formula E career justice, with him having laid a major foundation for the championship to build on, having been perhaps its greatest pioneer.

Always one to push Formula E to better things, di Grassi has been integral to how the category looks today. He was, of course, the winner of the first race in the history of the series.

In addition to his time in Formula E, di Grassi is a multiple-time podium finisher at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and was vice-champion in his final WEC campaign for Audi in 2016.

 "Lucas has been synonymous with Formula E since the very beginning," said Jeff Dodds, Formula E CEO. n"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."

Di Grassi's retirement marks the departure of another driver who has been in the series since the first season, following Sam Bird last year.

A Formula E grid without di Grassi will be a bizarre sight, but it is a sign of what's to come, with young talent eager to enter the series for Gen4.

What the 41-year-old plans to do next will be revealed shortly, following what is perhaps the most historic career of any Formula E driver.

"Lucas is not just a driver; he is part of the Formula E family," said Alejandro Agag, Formula E co-founder and chairman. "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."