With the season-ending London E-Prix, the final two original competitors from Formula E’s inaugural 2014 race are set to depart from the championship.
Sebastien Buemi will transition to competing in the World Endurance Championship with Toyota whereas Lucas Di Grassi is retiring from professional motorsport entirely.
Collectively, they have secured 28 victories, 78 podium finishes, and hold 21 combined pole positions, including 17 by Buemi.
Their dominance during Formula E’s pioneering Gen1 era established the championship’s technical and competitive identity.
2012-2014 – Foundational Era: Di Grassi and Buemi Commit to Formula E
Renault’s involvement began early, joining the championship as a technical partner in May 2013, supplying engines to all cars in the first campaign. The Renault-backed e.dams squad formalized Buemi and Nicolas Prost’s partnership in June 2014. Di Grassi, however, had already been immersed in the championship from September 2012 as a development driver, later joining Audi’s entry in February 2014.
2014 Beijing E-Prix – Di Grassi Claims Inaugural Race Victory
The championship commenced at the Beijing street circuit under dramatic circumstances. Following a collision between leaders Heidfeld and Prost on the final lap, Di Grassi inherited victory, while Buemi retired with gearbox issues. The Swiss driver noted the event’s unpredictability: “It was a bit chaotic, but taking the win here was a testament to Formula E’s potential.”
2014 Punta del Este E-Prix – Buemi Breaks His Winning Drought
Buemi seized his maiden victory in a rain-affected race at Punta del Este after a safety car reshaped the battle. He overtook Jean-Éric Vergne during pitstops, with Vergne later retiring due to suspension failure. The result marked the Swiss driver’s breakthrough, describing the race as “a test of resilience under pressure.”
2015 London E-Prix – Piquet Jr Nabs Title Amid Controversy
Nelson Piquet Jr’s title win by a single point underscored Formula E’s title-deciding strategic races. Buemi secured pole but spun on his out-lap, dropping from a commanding fourth to sixth. Di Grassi and Piquet Jr’s childhood rivalry intensified, with the Brazilian criticizing rivalries: “There’s no comparison to my GP2 battles with Buemi—outside, we’re polite.”
2015-16 Season: Triple Crown for E.dams
The 2015-16 season cemented e.dams’ dominance, with Buemi and Di Grassi each clinching three victories. Though disqualifications and collisions (Buemi: Dubai; Di Grassi: Mexico City) disrupted their bid, they finished the season neck-and-neck. Their final clash in London, marred by a first-lap collision, saw Buemi prevail via fastest lap, claiming his maiden title despite denying his rival.
2016-17 Season: Buemi’s Unassailable Form
Buemi’s 2016-17 season saw six victories and an 11-race win streak at times, though mechanical failures and a disqualification undercut his bid. Di Grassi narrowed the gap to 10 points before Buemi’s WEC commitments forced an early withdrawal in 2017. The decisive battle at Montreal ended in disqualification for both, awarding the title to Di Grassi as the Swiss driver emphasized dignity: “I’d rather lose rightly than win through missteps.”
2017-18 Season: Audi’s Resurgence and Di Grassi’s Consistency
Di Grassi emerged as a new focal point post-Renault’s withdrawal, securing seven consecutive podiums for Audi. Though finishing second to Jean-Éric Vergne’s Venturi squad, he reflected on the season’s lows: “Scoring no points for four races was brutal, but seven podiums recalibrated belief.” Meanwhile, Buemi oscillated between mediator and rival: “He thinks my past mistakes define me, but I focus on growth.”
2023 Shanghai E-Prix: Di Grassi’s Final Triumph
Di Grassi’s 2023 Shanghai victory likely heralded his final title, tallying 17 podiums across his Formula E career. Despite limited Gen3 success, his legacy endures in record podiums and championship impacts. Meanwhile, Buemi’s sporadic Gen3 success—his 2025 Monaco win highlighting adaptive skill—contrasts with Di Grassi’s recent decline, scoring 17th in the standings this season.
Legacy Beyond the Podium
Their careers collectively bridged Formula E’s evolution: from Di Grassi’s grassroots advocacy to Buemi’s meta-awareness in sprint races. As Audi’s Di Grassi reflected, “We kept Formula E honest to its root,” while Buemi’s meta-commentaries revealed racing’s psychological grit. Their story—of triumphs, controversies, and endurance—remains the bedrock of Formula E’s identity.