*Taken for granted in the Peugeot squad in 2012 before the French brand surprisingly announce the end of their program of endurance, after the young Brazilian driver Lucas di Grassi will even make its official debut in the sports prototypes but ... the Audi!
In a statement released today, the German brand, a clear action of charm to the public (read, market ...) thus confirms that Brazilian di Grassi will join Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish at the wheel of car # 2 in Brazilian round of the FIA World Endurance (WEC) which will compete at the Interlagos circuit in S. Paulo on September 15.
"We are very pleased to offer to the public, the media, our Audi importer Brazil and, of course, the FIA World Endurance with a special link to the site," says the head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "We are giving the Lucas di Grassi the opportunity to compete at home as ambassador to the endurance races and fight for overall victory at the wheel of the Audi R18."
The Brazilian driver started his career in karts where shot to Brazilian Formula Renault 2000, after integrating the caravan of the Formula 3 Euro Series and GP2 - that was runner-up in 2007 and third twice, in 2008 and 2009 - having been a test driver in Formula 1 since 2005 and completed 19 Great Prémiso with the Virgin F1 team in 2010. In 2009 tested the Audi R10 TDI of the private Kolles for the first time last year and completed two more tests with the Peugeot that you should be assured the French brand in place for this year.
"The race WEC is a good opportunity to attract attention at home along with Audi," he says, delighted the young talent who completed 28 years earlier this month of August. "The Endurance is a fascinating discipline of motorsport that I only have experience in testing so far.'s Why I'm particularly excited about my debut in the WEC with Audi alongside two greats like Allan McNish and Tom Kristensen."
In order to prepare for the fifth round of the WEC, di Grassi tested an Audi R18 ultra Lausitzring in track for three days in early August. "He left a good impression, which led us to hire him," acknowledges Dr. Ullrich.
The contract, according to the statement reveals, is valid only for 6 Hours of Interlagos, but not surprised that a good supply of di Grassi would allow him to remain in the orbit of the German mark for the future.
Source: press release from Audi Motorsport***
