“I am very happy, but there are no guarantees. Formula E can take you from heaven to hell in a day; it is very easy to make mistakes and not score any points. We will do our best, motivate the team, try to win, but we will only know the result after tomorrow’s chequered flag”
On Saturday the hunter; on Sunday, the prey!
The following day, it was hard to tell which driver was under more pressure. While Di Grassi fought to maintain his hard-won advantage, Sébastien Buemi – who had won six races during the season – had to do everything to reverse the situation and take the lead again. From hunter, the Brazilian became the prey of the day!
After a tumultuous start, in which both Lucas and his teammate Daniel Abt dropped to the ninth and tenth positions respectively, the pair maintained a good rhythm, saving energy, and managed to recover. At the end of the race, Buemi finished in 11th place and Lucas was seventh. The result left no hope for the Swiss driver: the day was really destined for the Brazilian’s celebration!
“We won the championship after two years of coming close. It is without a shadow of a doubt a very, very important title – the most important of my career. We had three spectacular years, with many emotions and some unforgettable moments, but what we have achieved today is the absolute top and a deserved reward for all the members of our team, who demonstrated an unwavering fighting spirit throughout the year. I am extremely proud of being Formula E champion. Thank you to everyone who helped to make this possible”
A Brazilian dream on the top of the world!
Lucas Di Grassi, the 2016-2017 Formula E champion, staged an incredible recovery during the season – at one point he was 43 points behind the main leader. Third place in the category’s inaugural contest (2014-2015) and runner-up last season, the Brazilian could finally release the scream that was choked in his throat:
“It’s a dream that becomes reality. I thank the Brazilian fans for all the support, all the cheering, all the FanBoost votes, everyone who was by my side, who believed and cheered together with my team, my family and my friends”
In the first three seasons of the world championship for electric cars, the Brazilian driver’s stats are truly impressive. Thirty-three races, six wins, 20 podiums, three pole positions, nine starts in the front row, 11 appearances in Super Pole, 468 points achieved and 19 FanBoost awards – a method that offers an extra power charge to drivers, determined by a popular online vote.
The excitement of the next Formula E season already has a date to start. The next contest will be in Hong Kong on December 2nd, still this year.
Check out the championship’s final standings:
1. LUCAS DI GRASSI – 181 points (Brazilian)
2. Sébastien Buemi – 157 points
3. Felix Rosenqvist – 127 points
4. Sam Bird – 122 points
5. Jean-Éric Vergne – 117 points
11. Nelson Piquet Junior – 33 points (Brazilian)
