Rast and Di Grassi Prepare for Formula E Return

René Rast and teammate Lucas di Grassi completed two days of testing at the DEKRA Lausitzring circuit ahead of the six-race showdown of the ABB FIA Formula E Championship scheduled for next August at the Tempelhof Airport in Berlin.

The 33-year-old stands in for Daniel Abt, behind the wheel of the e-tron FE06 with Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler Formula E Team for the long-awaited season showdown in Berlin.

The German, alongside Season 3 Formula E champion Lucas di Grassi shared the car in Lausitzring in preparation for the challenge that three double-headers with races in consecutive days – 5-6 August, 8-9, and 12-13 will present for teams and drivers. 

“I was very well received in the team and in Lucas I have a very open and experienced teacher at my side. I had a lot of fun with my first kilometers and I’m looking forward to the races in Berlin more and more every day, even if I know that it will be a huge challenge and anything but easy,” said Rast.

René Rast

The DTM reigning champion debuted in the all-electric series back in 2016 at home soil joining the Aguri Team for a temporary replacement of Antonio Felix da Costa at the seventh round of the 2015-2016 season, the Berlin E-Prix, held at the Berlin Street Circuit.

On Wednesday, Rast drove the Gen 2 single-seater for the very first time, a car that doubles the energy storage capacity of the Gen 1 he once drove in 2016. 

On his first impressions driving the e-tron FE06, he further explained: “An open car, completely different sound and completely different focus while testing than compared to the DTM. There were a lot of new experiences during the past few days.”

“I think it was very positive and I learned a lot and now looking forward to Berlin,” the German concluded.

Rast will continue his preparation working on the team simulator.

di GRASSI ON RACING MODE

Lucas di Grassi – Diriyah E-Prix 2019

“We have six races ahead of us that will decide the championship. Everything is still open and, accordingly, we want to come to Berlin perfectly prepared. The testing is an important step on the way there.” said di Grassi.

The Brazilian was the first driver to join Formula E from the go, the first to believe in the electric series launched in 2014; as he states in the “And We Go Green” documentary while talking about the beginnings of the series: “Everybody Laughed At Us!” 

di Grassi also won the inaugural race in Beijing, becoming the first driver to win an all-electric race.

In 2017, he conquered Season 3 driver’s title.

Furthermore, the team secured the constructor’s championship with di Grassi and Abt for the 2017/18 season, a season that marked the entry of Audi to the series as a factory team.

The series begins the next chapter in its short and successful history next season, becoming an FIA world championship.

SEASON 6 CURRENT STANDINGS

Overall, and after five rounds, Lucas di Grassi is fifth in the driver’s standings with 38 points while the Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler Formula E Team is sixth with 46 points in the constructor’s championship standings.

The 2019/2020 overall standings show DS Techeetah and Antonio Felix da Costa as leaders the constructors and drivers championship, respectively.

Images courtesy of Audi Communications Motorsport / Malte Christians