After a chaotic race, luck fell in the favour of Lucas Di Grassi, who took a surprise P2 finish at the Miami E-Prix. Di Grassi hailed the performance as a ‘miracle’.
Formula E season 11 marks the first year of the Lola Yamaha ABT partnership in FE, with Lucas Di Grassi lining up alongside rookie Zane Maloney. A podium finish had evaded Di Grassi since the opening round of Season 9 in 2022, so the result meant even more to the Brazilian driver.
With such a long gap between podiums, Di Grassi admitted it felt ‘great’. He said, “It feels great. Almost like a miracle, I said on the radio like a miracle in Miami.”
However, he noted that although it may have felt supernatural, the team had exhibited the performance necessary for the result. He told media, “When you look at the actual results, we’ve been quick in FP2, we’ve been quick in qualifying. Then in the race we were in the right moment at the right time.”
With a late red flag in the race, drivers had rushed to get to use their Attack Mode’s before the race ended. Unfortunately for many in the top three, they ran out of time and penalities were handed out. For Lucas Di Grassi it meant that he got promoted to P2, taking a well deserved podium.
About time
While Di Grassi’s podium came from penalities awarded to those in front. But by using his Attack Mode earlier in the race he had put himself in the prime position to take advantage of the others.
Di Grassi said, “A bit lucky, but I’ll take it. I’ve been unlucky so many times in the last two years that luck sometimes needs to change. And today was that day.”
Similarly, the Brazilian noted that the podium was a good motivator for the team, with the new owner of Lola present for Di Grassi’s stellar performance.
“It’s a massive boost for us to continue fighting.“
Di Grassi has been apart of Formula E since the conception of the series. Throughout the years the Brazillian has struggled, going from winning a championship or at least being in the title fight, to fighting at the back of the field for the last three years.
The 2024/5 season has not been the strongest start for the former-champion. With a retirement in the opening round at São Paulo and a disqualification in Jeddah’s first race. Di Grassi admitted that being able to reach the podium was emotional for him.
“It’s extremely unique to have a lot of discipline to continue to push when you have bad results… You keep working until it pays off, and today it paid off. So I’m very happy.”
