VI-grade, a specialist in automotive simulation, has appointed Dr Leonardo Pascali as its new managing director, effective October 1st, 2026. Pascali has enjoyed an extensive career spanning automotive engineering, high-performance vehicle development, and motorsport.
Most recently, he served as technical director of Audi Sport’s Dakar project, where he was responsible for the technical development of the Audi RS Q e-tron programme that achieved overall victory at the 2024 Dakar Rally with drivers Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz.
Prior to joining Audi, Pascali held senior engineering positions at McLaren Automotive, Porsche and Centro Ricerche Fiat, where he gained experience in vehicle dynamics, chassis development and advanced vehicle technologies. During his time at McLaren Automotive, where he served as head of chassis and vehicle technology, Pascali was named Vehicle Dynamicist of the Year 2017 by Vehicle Dynamics International magazine.
In his new role, Pascali will work closely with VI-grade and teams from parent company HBK, to strengthen the company’s automotive and motorsport business, deepen customer and technology partnerships, and develop integrated workflows that connect full-spectrum, human-centric simulation with Hardware-in-the-Loop and physical validation.
He is tasked with leading VI-grade towards a vision of full-vehicle development and validation, with a strategic roadmap placing greater emphasis on software-defined vehicles, ADAS, energy management, and integrated electronic systems.
A key priority will be combining Software-in-the-Loop (SiL), Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) and Driver-in-the-Loop (DiL) technologies to connect virtual models and driving simulators with physical electronic control units and vehicle systems.
This integrated approach is designed to enable OEMs to validate software releases, verify system interactions, and assess how vehicle systems behave and interact from the driver’s perspective. Building on Pascali’s experience in system-level vehicle evaluation, VI-grade’s roadmap is intended to extend the human-centric approach beyond traditional vehicle attributes, in line with HBK’s Smart Testing strategy.
“I am excited to join VI-grade at a time when the way vehicles are developed is undergoing such a fundamental transformation,” said Leonardo Pascali. “Working closely with test drivers has taught me that a vehicle cannot be judged through isolated measurements alone. Objective data and simulation are essential, but so is the driver’s assessment of how every system works together.
“That is why VI-grade’s human-centric, full-spectrum approach resonates with me. I see a major opportunity to bring the complete driving experience into virtual development and to test real electronic control units together with virtual vehicle models through Hardware-in-the-Loop. Combining these capabilities with Driver-in-the-Loop and physical testing can help our customers make more confident decisions earlier in development.”
Pascali’s approach to engineering has long involved close collaboration with professional test drivers, combining objective engineering data with first-hand, subjective driving assessments. In previous vehicle development roles, his own driving evaluations, alongside those of the chief test driver, contributed to final vehicle sign-off.
This experience reflects VI-grade’s human-centric philosophy: evaluating the vehicle as an integrated system and considering the complete driving experience, rather than treating individual engineering disciplines in isolation.
“Leonardo brings an exceptional combination of deep engineering expertise, international leadership and first-hand experience developing advanced road and competition vehicles,” said Alessio Lombardi, global sales director – simulation, at VI-grade / HBK.
“His understanding of both virtual and physical vehicle development makes him ideally positioned to lead VI-grade into its next phase and further strengthen the role of simulation within HBK’s broader Smart Testing strategy. We are delighted to welcome him to the team.”
