Reigning Formula E champion Lucas di Grassi and the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler team celebrated a very historic motorsport win at the championship round in Switzerland in June. The reason it was so significant is that it was the first international circuit race to take place on Swiss soil since 1954.

After four second places in succession this was the first victory of the season for the Brazilian Lucas di Grassi in the fully electric racing series. Prof. Peter Gutzmer, Chief Technology Officer at Schaeffler commented, "I’m at a loss for words. After having scored the best team result in Formula E history in Berlin three weeks ago, we’re now finally seeing our champion on the top step of the podium again. And those who saw the race also know why Lucas is driving car number one and why he belongs there, on the top step. What fantastic overtaking manoeuvres that made him advance from fifth to the front.”

Peter added, "We’re used to superlatives in Formula E but what the Swiss have set up here in the heart of Zurich to celebrate a modern motorsport comeback is awesome. To anyone who’d like to feel the spirit of an innovative form of mobility for tomorrow I can only recommend that they visit Formula E.”

For Lucas di Grassi, this marks the seventh victory and 25th podium finish in the 43rd Formula E race. He said, "Well, it was definitely time for this one step further up on the podium. I knew after four second places in succession that it’s in my hands again. And of course I’m happy that I’ve now won the first major race in Switzerland in more than half a century.”

On July 14 and 15, the two final rounds of the 2017/2018 season will be held in New York City. Neither Lucas di Grassi nor Daniel Abt are still able to win the drivers’ classification but in second place of the teams’ classification the deficit to the leading Techeetah team has been reduced by another eleven to 33 points.

Prof. Gutzmer said, "We’ve been in Formula E now for four years and have celebrated many victories plus the drivers’ title. And of course, following a third and two second places, we’re going to leave no stone unturned to enter our name in the history books as champion in the teams’ classification as well.”

The Audi e-tron FE04 contains much innovative technology made by Schaeffler. Together with Audi, Schaeffler engineers developed the vehicle’s centrepiece, the combination of the motor and the transmission. Schaeffler is the official technology partner of Team Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler in the innovative electric racing series.