Former Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa has been confirmed to join the Formula E driver's grid for the 2018-19 Season 5. The Brazilian driver will be joining Venturi in the electric series and has signed a three-year deal with the team starting next year. The announcement comes after Massa had shown interest in the new electric championship and even attended the Rome e-Prix earlier this season, sparking rumours of a possible entry. Massa retired from F1 last year whilst driving for team Williams. Announcing his entry to Formula E, Felipe Massa said, "I'm very happy to be joining the Venturi Formula E Team and the ABB FIA Formula E championship, which has become a magnificent competition in such a short space of time."
undefined#Breaking: @MassaFelipe19 will race for @VenturiGP in season five!
— ABB Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) May 15, 2018
"I’m very happy to be joining the VENTURI Formula E Team and the ABB FIA Formula E championship, which has become a magnificent competition in such a short space of time." #ABBFormulaE pic.twitter.com/ZhTVCMyUsY
He added further, "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."
Massa will begin testing the Gen2 Venturi VFE 05 Formula E car by the end of May, while the next season will commence towards the end of this year.
undefinedHey 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
"It's an honour to welcome Felipe to the Venturi family," said Gildo Pastor, President of Venturi Automobiles and the Venturi Formula E Team. "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."
(Felipe Massa retired from Formula 1 at the end of the 2017 season)
The 37-year-old F1 legend has been one of the most liked drivers on the F1 circuit and brings with him massive experience in racing. Massa's motorsport career started with go-karts at the age of eight, winning regional and national championships for seven years. The driver then moved to Formula Renault, and later Formula 3000, where he won the championship.
Felipe Massa's F1 career began with Sauber in 2003, before joining Scuderia Ferrari as a test driver in 2003. The F1 racer has had 269 starts, 41 podiums and 11 wins to his name and raced with three teams including Sauber (2002, 2004-2005), Ferrari (2006-2013 and Williams (2014-2017).
