Di Grassi Confirms F1 Deal, Lotus to Announce 2010 Lineup on Monday

Brazil will have at least 4 drivers on the Formula One grid in 2010, if we are to trust the latest statement coming from former Renault reserve driver Lucas di Grassi. The GP2 racer was part of Renault’s rookie test session earlier this month (at Jerez), yet he will not join Robert Kubica in the Enstone team’s lineup next season.

Instead, the 25-year old Brazilian driver is likely to sign a deal with newly-entrants Manor/Virgin Grand Prix, joining former Toyota driver Timo Glock. Di Grassi yesterday announced his fans worldwide via his twitter feed that his place in the 2010 F1 roster has been confirmed, but details on it will be officially available for the media in the week to come.

“For all who are wondering, I'll be in F1 in 2010. The details will be announced next week. Stay tuned. Thank you very much,” wrote the former GP2 driver.

In addition to his words on twitter, he also told Globo that he spoke to all 4 new teams in F1 next season and argued that Virgin Racing – with whom he used to win the Macau F3 Grand Prix in 2005 – would be his best choice.

“I am well prepared to arrive in formula one. I believe Virgin will be the best of the new teams. I spoke with all four of them,” added Di Grassi.

In the meantime, another new team is expected to announce its lineup for the 2010 championship, namely Lotus F1 Team. And it was also via a twitter feed that the announcement was made yesterday, as the team’s principal Tony Fernandes wrote quite eloquently on his return from the Motor Sport Business Forum in Monaco: “Bringing home two drivers for the Lotus F1 team. Announcement Monday.”