Di Grassi joins Surfers Paradise line-up

Ex-Formula 1 racer Lucas di Grassi has joined the growing list of international aces who will take part in this year’s V8 Supercars Gold Coast 600.

The Brazilian has signed with Tekno Autosports for the event on the streets of Surfers Paradise next month. He will partner Michael Patrizi in the team’s #91 entry while Porsche star Marc Lieb has been recruited to share Jonathon Webb’s #19.

Di Grassi, who raced in F1 for the then Virgin team in 2010, recently appeared in the FIA World Endurance Championship for Audi at his home race in Sao Paulo and has also become a development driver for the FIA’s Formula E in addition to his commitments as a tester for Pirelli’s F1 programme.

Lieb, who currently races for Felbermayr-Proton in the WEC as a Porsche factory driver, competed on the Gold Coast last year alongside Alex Davison at Stone Brothers Racing.

“It is great to have such a formidable line up for our second venture in the GC600,” said Team Manager Bruce Jenkins who worked with di Grassi during his time in British F3. “Both Marc and Lucas bring a wealth of knowledge, technical skills and experience to Tekno’s endurance team. Marc’s performance on track last year was impressive; Jonathon and Marc will be one of the pairs to watch. Lucas’s background, demonstrated by his formidable result this past weekend for Audi in Brazil, will guarantee car 91 will be competitive.”

Patrizi said: “It is an awesome opportunity to partner a highly credentialed driver such as Lucas. I'm looking forward to racing in the Gold Coast 600 for the first time, having Lucas alongside me will ensure we have a good chance at racing towards the pointy end.”

Owner/driver Webb added: “Marc Lieb is an ideal partner for the Gold Coast 600 endurance event, he was consistently fast in 2011, and has had great successes in endurance racing. He is the right man for the job.”

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Peter Allen