Ex-Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa has moved over to Formula E, joining the Venturi team for next season. Massa retired from F1 at the end of last season with 269 race starts, 11 wins, 41 podiums, and 16 pole positions on his resume.
Now the 37-year-old takes to a different side of open-wheel racing. He has signed a three-year agreement with Venturi and is due to complete a private test session soon. Massa won’t be the first F1 talent to race in Formula E, but he may very well attract more attention.
“For some years now, I’ve been clear about my interest in this innovative, forward-looking discipline that’s developing exponentially. I especially like the format of race meetings, the city-centre circuits and the contact with the fans. I can’t wait to take part in testing at the end of the month.”
There’s no denying the fact that the Brazilian driver can bring plenty to the team. A fact Venturi head Gildo Pastor agrees with:
“It’s an honour to welcome Felipe to the Venturi family. I needed him, his experience, his speed, and his openness. Formula E is extremely complex to set up and drive. Even more so than in other disciplines, teamwork between the driver and the engineering team is one of the keys to success.
Felipe’s 15 years’ experience in Formula 1 will definitely give us a boost. And with his humble nature, I know he will listen to the team and master the discipline quickly.”
It will be interesting to see where Massa can take the team as a driver. As it stands, Venturi is currently seventh in the fourth season’s standings. The teams driver lineup currently consists of Maro Engel and Edoardo Mortara.
When Massa joined Williams in 2014, he helped take the team to third place in the constructors’ fight. Even at his worse, he proved to be a sizable match for his then-teammate Valtteri Bottas. In his final year in F1 he placed ahead of Lance Stroll.
To say we’re interested in where this leads would be an understatement.
See more articles on Formula E.
