Lucas di Grassi Faces Grid Penalty in Jeddah E-Prix
Lucas di Grassi, driving for Lola Yamaha ABT, will start the 2026 Jeddah E-Prix from three positions lower on the grid than qualified, following a penalty issued by the FIA Race Director. The penalty stems from an incident at Turn 7 where di Grassi failed to adhere to specific instructions regarding track limits and wheel stops.
The Penalty Details: What Happened at Turn 7?
According to the FIA, di Grassi did not “keep to the right of the bollard and reach to a complete wheel stop after he left the track at Turn 7, as prescribed in Article 7.8 of the Drivers Briefing Notes.” While the initial infraction would have resulted in a five-second time penalty, its application after the race led to a conversion into a three-place grid drop for the next race.
Accumulating Penalty Points
This penalty also adds another point to di Grassi’s penalty point total, bringing it to eight within the last 12 months. Accumulating twelve penalty points within a 12-month period can lead to a race suspension.
Jeddah E-Prix Schedule: Key Timings
The Jeddah E-Prix is a double-header event taking place on February 13th and 14th. Here’s a breakdown of the key timings (local time):
- February 13th:
- Free Practice 2: 13:30
- Qualifying: 15:40
- Race: 20:05
- February 14th:
- Free Practice 3: 13:30
- Qualifying: 15:40
- Race: 20:05
Formula E’s EVO Sessions Return
The Jeddah circuit will also host the return of EVO Sessions, featuring the next generation of drivers competing in the GEN3 Evo cars. This event will be streamed live on YouTube on February 15th.
Staying Up-to-Date with the Action
Fans can follow the race live through the Formula E Race Centre, which provides real-time interactive track maps, live timing, and detailed session reports. Updates and insights will also be available on Formula E’s social media channels, website, and app.
Di Grassi’s Formula E Career
Nicknamed ‘Mr Formula E’, Lucas di Grassi has been a consistent presence in the series since its inception in 2014. Currently driving for Lola Yamaha ABT, the 41-year-old Brazilian has a long and successful career in motorsport, including experience in Formula 1 and endurance racing.
A Veteran Presence
Di Grassi played a crucial role in the development of the original Formula E prototype car and continues to be a key figure in the championship. He is also the CEO of Roborace and the Founder of an electric bike start-up in Brazil.
FAQ
- What caused Lucas di Grassi’s penalty? He failed to follow the race director’s instructions regarding track limits at Turn 7.
- What type of penalty did di Grassi receive? A three-place grid drop for the next race.
- How many penalty points does di Grassi have? Eight within the last 12 months.
- When are the races in Jeddah? February 13th and 14th.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on the Formula E app for real-time updates, live timing, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content during the Jeddah E-Prix.
Explore more Formula E news and race schedules at fiaformulae.com.
