Di Grassi happy with place at Virgin

Lucas di Grassi insists he is happy with his formula one debut this year, despite grappling at the back of the grid with the new Virgin team.

The Brazilian 25-year-old, who slotted into the Renault reserve role late last year, was disappointed to miss out on the race seat in the wake of Nelson Piquet’s ousting.

That place went to Romain Grosjean, and then in 2010 to the Russian pay-driver Vitaly Petrov.

"In formula one it’s not always just about talent," he said in an interview with Formule 1 Race Report.

"There are also politics and some decisions you can do nothing about," added di Grassi.

But although now struggling for reliability and pace, and having been outqualified by teammate Timo Glock at every race so far, di Grassi insists he has no regrets.

"Without experience in formula one you have nothing," said the Paulista.

"I am pleased with the progress of my career, because I have followed the right path."

Di Grassi insists that a team like Virgin is a good place to develop as a formula one driver.

"It means I can also make some mistakes, because we are all in a learning phase," he added.