Lucas di Grassi has announced he will retire as a professional driver at the end of the 2025-26 season, closing a remarkable chapter that took him through Formula 1, the World Endurance Championship, and Formula E. But don’t expect him to fade from the motorsport scene—he’s already planning a powerful "second phase" that could reshape the sport itself.
Few drivers have matched di Grassi’s influence beyond the cockpit. As Formula E’s first official driver and race winner, he has been a constant voice for electric mobility and the shift away from combustion engines. Now, at 41, he sees the perfect moment to step back from driving and step into a bigger role—possibly in management at Lola or helping craft the future regulations of Formula E.
Formula E is about to enter an exciting new era with the Gen4 car, set to debut at the end of this year. These machines will produce up to 800bhp and lap at speeds approaching Formula 1 levels. While any driver would jump at the chance to race such cutting-edge technology, di Grassi views it as the ideal launchpad for his next move.
"It was a decision I took after thinking about it for a very long time," di Grassi explained. "I decided to call it this year because of the transition to Gen4. With this massive shift within the team and the championship, there is a lot of value I could add outside of the car rather than racing it."
He added, "I could still add value inside the car, but I think I could add more outside. I want to focus my efforts on building something bigger and use this transition as leverage to start the second phase of my career. I already won a title and many races. I’d rather start the next 20 years as early as I can and work from there."
After Lola’s recent takeover by Till Bechtolsheimer, the iconic brand returned to motorsport in 2024. Di Grassi’s deep experience and strategic mind make him a natural fit for a management role there—or for helping steer Formula E through its most ambitious technical leap yet. For fans of racing and innovation, his next chapter might be just as thrilling as the one he’s closing.