Electric Cars

In a turn of events that proved far from ideal, veteran driver Lucas di Grassi's final competitive weekend in Formula E, held in the vibrant city of London, was marred by a series of technical misfortunes and regulatory penalties. This unfortunate conclusion led to a double retirement for the esteemed racer, casting a shadow over what should have been a celebratory swansong to his illustrious career.

Details of a Challenging Farewell

The London E-Prix, held on August 18, 2026, was meant to be a grand celebration of Lucas di Grassi's departure from Formula E after an impressive career spanning over two decades. However, the 42-year-old Brazilian driver for Lola Abt faced an array of challenges. On Saturday, an existing three-place grid penalty from Tokyo, incurred for failing to slow under red flags, meant he started from the rear. Further setbacks included a five-second time penalty for speeding during a Full Course Yellow, ironically caused by his teammate Zane Maloney, which relegated him to last place after his pitstop. The day culminated in a premature end to his race on lap 19, when a critical technical issue deprived his car of brakes, sending him crashing into the barriers at Turn 9. This incident necessitated a virtual safety car deployment, inadvertently benefiting race winner Pascal Wehrlein.

Sunday brought no respite for Di Grassi. During FP3, another technical problem forced him to stop on track, requiring the replacement of the entire rear section and battery. This mechanical failure prevented him from participating in qualifying. Despite the Lola mechanics' diligent efforts to prepare his car for the season finale, Di Grassi incurred a 20-place grid penalty due to exceeding his inverter allocation, which translated into a 10-second stop-and-go penalty. Ultimately, his farewell race concluded prematurely after 18 laps when an electrical fault prompted his engineer to instruct him to stop the car. Despite the double retirement, the crowd warmly applauded Di Grassi as he exited his vehicle, acknowledging his significant contributions to the sport. While this weekend was disappointing, Di Grassi had already secured a memorable victory in Shanghai two months prior, allowing him to leave the paddock with his head held high. He expressed gratitude to his team, acknowledging their achievements together, including being the fastest new team to achieve a podium and a victory in Formula E, and looks forward to a new role promoting electric mobility.

The London E-Prix served as a poignant reminder that even for the most accomplished athletes, some endings are written not by triumph, but by the capricious nature of fate and mechanics. While Lucas di Grassi's final races did not unfold as a storybook finish, his dignified acceptance and focus on past achievements, coupled with his commitment to the future of electric mobility, offer valuable lessons. It underscores that true legacy is not defined solely by the last performance, but by a career's breadth, impact, and the grace with which one navigates both victories and setbacks. Di Grassi's transition into a new role within electric mobility exemplifies a dedication to a cause beyond personal competition, highlighting a broader vision for a sustainable future.

Hyundai has officially announced that Finnish rally driver Esapekka Lappi, alongside his co-driver Enni Malkonen, will compete in the upcoming Rally Chile. This will be their next appearance in the World Rally Championship, piloting the third i20 N Rally1 vehicle for the team. The news comes after a period of uncertainty regarding Lappi's schedule, especially following their early exit from Rally Finland.

Hyundai's strategy for the current season involves rotating three different crews through their third factory car. Esapekka Lappi, New Zealand's Hayden Paddon, and seasoned driver Dani Sordo have each taken turns behind the wheel. Lappi and Malkonen's participation in Rally Chile, scheduled for September 10-13, confirms another chance for the pair to demonstrate their capabilities on the gravel tracks.

Previously, Lappi and Malkonen faced a setback at Rally Finland, where they were forced to retire from the fourth stage after their car rolled, costing them a promising fifth-place position. Just hours after this incident, Hyundai had announced Paddon would drive in the subsequent Rally Paraguay, leading to speculation about Lappi's future involvement. However, Hyundai's recent confirmation puts these doubts to rest, assuring Lappi of at least one more WRC event this year.

The Finnish duo recently celebrated a victory, successfully defending their Finnish Rally Championship title at Ralli Kitee. Lappi emphasized the seriousness with which they approach every race, stating, "Although this achievement isn't comparable to winning the World Rally Championship, or necessarily even a WRC round, we never come to these rallies to mess around – we always drive to win. We take it completely seriously.” He added that despite getting older, they can still challenge younger competitors.

Lappi has a history with Rally Chile, having competed three times before. His best performance at the event was a sixth-place finish in 2019, while driving for Citroen. In both 2023 and 2024, driving for Hyundai, Lappi displayed strong pace but ultimately retired from the competition. His return to Chile will be an opportunity to translate that pace into a solid result.

Esapekka Lappi and Enni Malkonen are confirmed to return to the World Rally Championship for Rally Chile. Hyundai's decision to re-include them in the lineup for the gravel event highlights the team's rotational strategy for its third car, involving Lappi, Hayden Paddon, and Dani Sordo. Despite a recent retirement at Rally Finland, Lappi's determination is evident, especially after their recent success in defending their Finnish Rally Championship title. Rally Chile presents another chance for the skilled Finnish pair to secure a strong finish.