Lucas di Grassi Tucci fits well into the slogan that became popular in recent years: "I am Brazilian and never give up." Born on August 11, 1984, in Sao Paulo, Lucas dropped the second year of the Faculty of Economics of Education and Research Institute (formerly IBMEC) to attempt the difficult racing career in Europe. At the time, at age 19, Di Grassi was already a widely recognized young talent behind the scenes of motorsport in Brazil, but Europe was a completely new challenge, especially because it requires far greater financial resources.

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With several titles in karting and an equally successful career in motor racing in Brazil, Luke moved to England. That country would be its basis for the contention of some major tournaments: the league and the elite Marlboro Masters and Macau Grand Prix, all of Formula 3. The results were impressive for someone who has debuted: best driver with Renault engine in the world, Lucas nailed two victories that put him among the candidates to the British title in the prognosis of specialized analysts, being invited to compete in the Masters and the Macau GP precisely for its performance.

But earlier that year, di Grassi won another important achievement. Attending a selective carried by the Renault F1 Team Ltd., the Brazilian was one of only five chosen to join the Renault Driver Development (RDD), a program for developing young talent in the French team. The support offered virtually full sponsorship for the season, but would have to be renewed every year, after an evaluation of the results of the pilot. Long and detailed, this evaluation at the end of each season would be a time of great tension throughout the European phase of the Brazilian's career, as Lucas relied on investment from Renault to go ahead with its project to get to Formula 1.

In 2005, Renault has renewed its commitment to di Grassi, who would have that season testing with the Formula 1 car used by the new champion Fernando Alonso. Again, Lucas returned the vote of confidence with a performance to match: best driver with Renault engine in Formula 3 in the world for the second consecutive year, di Grassi was third place in European Championship competition with a markedly inferior equipment. As a extra prize, Lucas was again invited to compete in the GP, a race prized by pilots around the world, which is played in the most difficult track in the world. With an acclaimed performance in the wings of motorsport, the Brazilian won Macau, with two stars of the current F-1 in the second and third podium places: Poland's Robert Kubica and Germany's Sebastian Vettel. Completing a cycle of great prominence, Lucas was drafted by Renault to work in developing the new GP2 car.

The Formula One World Championship GP2 was a chapter in the history of Lucas di Grassi. His first season in 2006, was disputed by the team of minor grid, but even then the Brazilian made his mark by winning two best records around. The first season of his career without a victory served, however, since learning in 2007, when Lucas was runner-up in an amazing campaign. At this stage, di Grassi was already mentioned in all specialist vehicles for true "Formula 1 material," an expression in English that defines someone ready to compete in the top category. No wonder that year Lucas also win the "Golden Helmet" (the Oscar of the Brazilian auto racing), the election of "Best Young Latin American Pilot" (choice made by a panel of 50 experts from the mainland) and "Best Style Steering GP2, "sponsored election among motorsport fans around the world. In 2007, for demonstrations and tests, Lucas was driving the Renault F1 on 14 occasions.

The administration of the Renault F1 Team acknowledged the work of di Grassi fifth consecutive year by renewing his contract with the RDD (a record), and putting the young Brazilian in the rank of third driver, also responsible for testing with the car. In all, Lucas spent 25 days behind the wheel of Renault F1, between "shakedowns," multivariate testing and special presentations. Di Grassi also tested for two days the car from Honda. In GP2, Lucas again proved to be a rising star. Despite debuting only in the seventh race of the year, placed third in the season with three wins and six podiums. It was therefore named the best driver in the championship by racing fans around the world who voted for the Web site category. Again, Di Grassi won the "Golden Helmet" and was voted "Best Young Latin American Pilot."

Lucas di Grassi has chosen to continue in GP2 in 2009 only to keep in evidence among the F1 teams. Already long established as a name that everyone would soon see the main category, the Brazilian has achieved its goal with clearances. Di Grassi was again placed third in the season, despite the technical problems faced by his team in the first half of the year. Renault retained the third position in Brazil and responsible for pilot testing, and Lucas considered for the position of official driver for 2010. With the end of the contract with the French team, Lucas was free to negotiate with other teams in your pass. Symbolically, the agreement was signed with the Manor, the team with which di Grassi won Macau and now assumed the name of Virgin Racing.




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