Q & A with Audi's Lucas di Grassi

Audi will have a new face in its driver line up for the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo (see story here).  Lucas di Grassi, the former F1 driver and GP2 race winner, below gives his thoughts on a new chapter in his racing life and career. 

You contest the fifth round of the WEC in Brazil for Audi. What are your feelings two weeks before the race?
Even before I travelled to the test I could hardly hide my enthusiasm. What I then experienced was another surprise: modern sportscars like the Audi R18 represent absolute cutting-edge technology, Audi Sport Team Joest and its engineers are among the best in the world. On top of this Audi is also a top flight automobile manufacturer. I’m already very excited about the race. I’m convinced that it will be a massive event. The FIA WEC is one of the greatest championships in motorsport. The fans from São Paulo can enjoy the fascination of endurance racing directly on their doorsteps. They’ll certainly get a taste for it.

Endurance races are a little different to sprints that you have contested up to now in single-seaters. Will you have to change your approach?
To be perfectly honest I have no idea what to expect. I contest my first endurance race, I drive for Audi for the first time and so far I only know the team and the R18 from testing. In Allan and Tom I have the best team mates you can imagine. They’ve already achieved everything at Le Mans and in other endurance races. I will learn a lot from them.

Audi can fight for the win. At the same time your team mates Allan McNish and Tom Kristensen are still in the thick of the title battle and must think tactically. With this in mind will you rather attack or be cautious?
My role is clear: even though I will only compete in one race and aim to put in a good performance in front of my home crowd, I must not take any risks. My goal is to produce the best possible performance. When all is said and done the team result is important.

Do you have a circuit advantage?
Even though I spent a big part of my career in Europe, I still know Interlagos extremely well from Formula Renault, Formula 3 and Formula 1. However, I believe that my team mates will learn the circuit very quickly, while I have to start by learning the Audi R18 ultra and endurance racing. So, as you can see I have no advantage.

Fiona Miller (Q & A from Audi Sport)

PHOTO:  Lucas di Grassi will drive the No.2 Audi R18 ultra in the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo.