Pirelli's Formula 1 tire tester Lucas di Grassi will race for the factory Audi squad in the Brazilian round of the FIA World Endurance Championship at Interlagos on Sept. 15. The Brazilian driver, who raced for Virgin's Formula 1 team in 2010, will join Audi regulars Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish in the No. 2 R18 TDI ultra for the fifth round of the WEC.
"The WEC race is a nice opportunity to attract attention at home together with Audi," said di Grassi, who is the first Brazilian to be employed as a sports car driver for Audi. "Endurance racing is a fascinating discipline of motorsport which I've only experienced in tests so far. That's why I'm particularly excited about my debut in the WEC for Audi alongside two big names like Allan McNish and Tom Kristensen."
Prior to being signed for the race, di Grassi tested an R18 ultra at the Lausitzring where he impressed. "That motivated us to sign him," said team principal Dr Wolfgang Ullrich.
Kristensen and McNish will drive as a duo for all the other remaining rounds of the WEC.