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Di Grassi lands Audi drive in Brazil

Lucas di Grassi will drive a one-off race for Audi in Brazil © Audi

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Pirelli test driver and ex-Virgin F1 driver Lucas di Grassi will race for Audi in the World Endurance Championship next month.

The Brazilian will join forces with championship leaders Allan McNish and Tom Kristensen in the No. 2 Audi R18 Ultra for a one-off opportunity at the 6 Hours of Sao Paolo. The race will take place at Interlagos and di Grassi said he is looking forward to his first taste of prototype endurance racing.

"The WEC race is a nice opportunity to attract attention at home together with Audi," he said. "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."

Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich said di Grassi will have a car capable of winning in front of his home crowd.

"We're delighted to be able to provide the audience here, the media, our importer Audi Brazil and of course the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) with a special link to this location," he said. "We're giving Lucas di Grassi a chance to compete at home as an ambassador for endurance racing and to fight for overall victory in the Audi R18."

Di Grassi tested an Audi R18 ultra at the Lausitzring for three days in early August and Dr. Ullrich said: "He left a good impression then, which motivated us to sign him."

Audi added that di Grassi's drive is set to be a one-off with McNish and Kristensen tackling the remaining races of the year as a duo.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.