Exclusive interview with Lucas di Grassi

His path is marked. Like Heikki Kovalainen and Nelsinho Piquet, Lucas di Grassi also came second in the GP2 Series and is now Renault's third driver in Formula 1. It is therefore inevitable to think that the young Brazilian also has an imminent debut as a starter , perhaps already from the year to come. For now, however, Di Grassi is expected to have a year without racing, a year of apprenticeship under the enviable protective wing of Fernando Alonso. Here's what he told F1GrandPrix.it about his past in GP2, his future in Formula 1 and also his predictions for the 2008 World Championship.

Lucas, this announcement that you are Renault's new test driver came as a bit of a surprise. Your future had been in doubt for a while and now a nice confirmation has arrived.
“For me it was never in doubt. I knew, given that I had had a good season in GP2 and had stayed with Renault for the last four years, that they didn't want me to leave the team. I was very happy to sign as the third driver. It's a step forward in my career and now you have to learn how Formula 1 works to be able to race one day."

Last year you fought for the GP2 title until the end, before losing it to Timo Glock. How do you evaluate this season finale now, cold?
“I'm sure I lost the championship in Monza. With one lap to go I was second and the gearbox broke. Monza was the toughest race of the championship because I lost something like nine or ten points. Despite the Valencia race which wasn't excellent due to the rain, I finished ten points behind. So that match was very important. For my part, I did everything I could in a difficult championship, with a good car but with some problems with the team, with an engineer who left and also with many changes from my teammates, who didn't give much reassurance. to be able to develop the machine with me. Despite this, finishing a few points behind Glock, who is now a starting driver in Formula 1, wasn't so bad for me.”

Heikki Kovalainen: second in GP2, third driver in Renault and then official driver. Nelsinho Piquet: second in GP2, third driver in Renault and now official driver. You followed the first two steps, so next year it will be your turn to be the starter too.
“In Formula 1 it's difficult to know what the future will bring. It could happen in two months or in three years. I want to be prepared for when the opportunity to compete in a race arrives so I can do well and give my best. I think that's my goal.”

What is the atmosphere in the team now after Fernando's return?
"Very good. There is an excellent impression from Fernando, who won two championships for us. For me he is a person I can learn from, being close to him, to learn more about how this world works, so as to be ready and fast like him when my opportunity comes."

There is a good group of Brazilians in Formula 1: Massa, Barrichello, Piquet and now you too. Continue to keep the tradition high.
“At the moment there are four of us: three owners and a third driver. The Brazilian challenge continues but for me my compatriots are three very high level drivers and I want to join them as a starting driver soon.”

Is there still the challenge between Paulistas and Cariocas?
“No, because Massa, I and Barrichello were born in Sao Paulo and Piquet was born in Brasilia, so there are no Cariocas.”

The last one was Piquet Senior…
"Well yes'!"

This year you won't be racing in Formula 1 yet, so you will be an “observer”. From the indications of the tests, how do you foresee the fight, beyond Renault?
“Our new car will certainly be better than the previous one, but we don't know how much the others have improved. The car hasn't changed much since last year, for me the strongest candidates for the title are Ferrari and McLaren.”

Fabrizio Corgnati