Interviews conducted by Sergio Álvarez; Madrid E-Prix photos are courtesy of Ester Caballero.
When Lucas di Grassi hangs up his helmet at the conclusion of the 2026 season, motorsport will lose one of its most dedicated and cerebral figures. While the Brazilian is now synonymous with the electric revolution, his journey to the top was forged in the high-pressure furnace of Formula 1. Making his debut in 2010 with Virgin Racing, di Grassi arrived in the paddock as a highly-touted GP2 standout and a former Renault F1 test driver.
Though his single season in F1 was spent battling at the back of the grid in unreliable machinery, his technical feedback and relentless work ethic earned him a reputation as a “driver’s driver”—qualities that would eventually lead him to become the cornerstone of a brand-new championship.
Reflecting on those early days, it is clear that di Grassi’s F1 tenure was merely the prologue to a legendary career. He transitioned from the roar of internal combustion to the high-pitched whine of Formula E, where he didn’t just compete; he pioneered. As the winner of the first-ever E-Prix in Beijing and the Season 3 Champion, he became the face of a movement. Now, as he enters his final professional year with Lola Yamaha ABT, the 41-year-old leaves behind a legacy of innovation and grit that has seen him participate in every single season since the series’ inception. His departure marks the closing of a foundational chapter in electric racing.
The Next Generation: Chasing the Spark
As we prepare to say “adeus” to a titan of the sport, the spotlight inevitably shifts to the hungry talent waiting in the wings. Formula E has always been a championship that demands more than just raw speed; it requires a unique blend of energy management and street-fighting tactical prowess. The hunt for the next di Grassi is already underway.
In this transition period, two names have emerged as potential heirs to the electric throne.
At the Madrid Rookie Test, Sergio sat down for exclusive chats with Callum Voisin—the 2023 GB3 Champion who recently impressed at the Madrid Rookie Test with Andretti—and Cian Shields, currently making waves in FIA Formula 2. Are these the faces that will define the next decade of the FIA’s most forward-thinking series?
Iberianmph: Guys, we know that Formula E is different from ice-powered single seaters, but how dfferent it really is? Can you tell us all about that?
Voisin: I guess you could say the lack of traction. In general, I think it’s a tricky car to get right in terms of it invites you to drive it like a it’s a downforce car but it’s not (a downforce car). Every time you’re having to remind yourself or having to resist the temptation to carry a lot of corner speed and I think that’s usually the key to lap time.
Shields: Probably it’s the amount of acceleration you have out of the corner, obviously electricity is a lot quicker than what we’re used to in Formula 2 car. I’d say it’s the biggest surprise, I don’t think I expected it to be so quick. That’s the main thing.
Iberianmph: We’re hearing the cornering speeds need to be managed slightly differently in Formula E as well. Is that so?
Shields: You have to brake a lot less than what we’re used to (in Formula 2), the amount of pressure you hit the brake (pedal) with is a lot lower that what I’m used to. The focus is to slow the car down and kind of square off and get a good exit. You can’t really combine on the entries, you have to be off the brake on the corner entries. So I’d say it’s a very specific driving technique compared to anything else, it’s not really similar to anything else.
Iberianmph: They say Formula 1 drivers have a lot of buttons to play with on their fancy steering wheels. What about Formula E then?
Shields: There’s obviously a lot more buttons that you have to work with. A lot of the work on that was done on the simulator back at the factory, so by the time we got here to Jarama it all feels pretty natural. At the beginning it was definitely hard to get used to but now you kind of know where everything is on the wheel, you don’t have to look for a specific button. It’s also my first time here in Jarama, I actually never heard of this track before. I found out about it before the test. It’s a cool track, a lot of up and down elevations changes, it’s definitely tricky and it’s quite bumpy. It’s got a mix of high-speed and low-speed corners. Overall, I think the track is very good. It’s fund to drive, it’s enjoyable.
The veteran is stepping out, but the grid is far from empty. The future, it seems, is in very capable hands.
Are you ready for the next era of Formula E? Let us know which rookie you’re backing in the comments below or on social media!
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