The recently retired Formula 1 veteran Felipe Massa will be driving in Formula E next season. He has only been out of racing for a year, and he was ready to take on a new challenge.
Felipe Massa Signs with Venturi For Formula E Season 5
He will be driving for Venturi Formula E and he will drive their Gen2 VFE 05 in a private test in the coming weeks. “I’m very happy to be joining the Venturi Formula E team and the Formula E championship, which has become a magnificent competition in such a short space of time,” said Massa.
“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-center circuits and the contact with the fans. I can’t wait to take part in testing at the end of the month.”
Hey guys i’m very happy to announce that today i am starting a new phase in my career, i Just Sign with @VenturiGP team to race next season @FIAFormulaE It is a very special day for me and i would like to share with all of you who always have been supporting me. #ABBFormulaE pic.twitter.com/tIcjn5yQ6m
— Felipe Massa (@MassaFelipe19) May 15, 2018
Venturi Formula E
The Brazilian signed a three-year deal with the Monaco-based team, and they have high hopes with him at the wheel. Gildo Pastor (Venturi Formula E Boss) said “I needed Massa, his experience, his speed, and his openness. Felipe’s 15 years’ experience in Formula 1 will definitely give us a boost.”
The team sits seventh in this year’s standings and they hope to improve next season. Venturi Formula E hasn’t confirmed who will be racing with Massa next season. The team’s current drivers are Maro Engel and Edoardo Mortara. Also, Tom Dillman, he is the replacement for Mortara this week due to conflicts with the Mercedes DTM program.
Other Ex-Formula 1 Drivers
Massa isn’t the only driver with Formula 1 experience on the grid in Formula E. He will compete against the likes of current points leader of this season Jean-Eric-Vergne. Former Formula E champions Lucas Di Grassi and Sebastien Buemi. Other drivers with Formula 1 experience that drive in Formula E include Sam Bird, Nick Heidfeld, and Jerome D’Ambrosio.
Vergne was part of the Red Bull driver academy and competed in F1 with Toro Rosso from 2012 to 2014. Di Grassi has only one year of F1 experience under his belt. He drove for Marussia Virgin Racing in 2010. Buemi was also part of the Red Bull Academy and drove for Toro Rosso from 2009 to 2011. Then he moved up to the Red Bull team and drove for them as test driver from 2012 to 2015.
Heidfeld spent plenty of time in F1 with multiple teams from 2000 to 2010. He drove for Prost, Sauber, Jordan, Williams, and BMW Sauber from 2000 to 2009. He also spent time as a Mercedes test driver in 2010.
D’Ambrosio also has some F1 experience, he drove for Marussia Virgin Racing in 2011. The Belgian also spent some time as a reserve driver for Lotus-Renault team from 2012 to 2013. Bird spent some time as a Mercedes AMG test driver in 2012, but never got a crack at a race.
The next E-Prix will take place in Berlin on May 19, 2018
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