How an Electric Race Car Could Change the Game

Lucas di Grassi, a pro race car driver, has a big idea. He wants to make racing better, cleaner, and faster. His plan? An electric race car that's not just fast but also smart. This isn't just any concept car. It's grounded in real tech and real possibilities. Di Grassi knows a lot about racing. He's driven in Formula 1, won races with Audi, and is a key player in Formula E. He also loves engineering. So, he combined his experience and passion to create the DGR-Lola electric race car concept. This car isn't just about speed. It's about efficiency, safety, and using tech that's already out there. The car has some cool features. It has active aerodynamics, which means it can change its shape to reduce drag and improve efficiency. It also has a big battery that's modular, meaning it can be easily upgraded as tech improves. The car is designed to be safer and more efficient than current race cars. In fact, simulations show it could lap Monaco faster than current Formula 1 cars. And it's 10 times more efficient. Di Grassi believes in using real, available tech. He thinks racing should inspire road cars, not the other way around. He also thinks rules in racing should be simplified. Too many rules complicate things and make racing less about driving and more about engineering loopholes. The car's design is all about efficiency. It has a big diffuser to create downforce, and the wheels are covered to reduce drag. This makes the car faster and more efficient. The car also needs less cooling than traditional race cars, which helps reduce drag even more. One of the coolest features is the twin-turbine suction device. It creates downforce without big wings, making the car more aerodynamic and efficient. Di Grassi says this system is five times more efficient than traditional wings. It also helps with cooling, making the car even more streamlined. Right now, the DGR-Lola is just a concept. But di Grassi wants to build it and test it for real. He hopes his ideas will inspire future race cars, especially in Formula E. As a driver for the Lola Yamaha Abt team, he thinks Lola could be a great partner for this project.