After a short spell in the electric variant of formula racing, Felipe Massa has made the surprising decision to leave the Venturi team. The team’s announcement was made public during the podium procedure, only minutes following the closing race of the 2019-20 Formula-E season in Berlin. The Brazilian driver finished in 16th place while Mercedes’ Stoffal Vandoorne took first place.
Massa leaves Venturi Racing a year before his three-year deal was set to end. The 39 year-old entered the motorsport during the 2018-19 season finishing a not so bad 15th place in his rookie season. However, the Brazilian finished in a less impressive 22nd place the following year.
Founded in 2013, Venturi Racing is the only Monegasque team involved in any motorsport discipline. Messa’s best Formula-E performance saw him take third at the 2018 Monaco E-Prix, a sharp contrast to his ability throughout his F1 career which he began in 2002 and continued until 2017.
“It’s been an honour to be part of the only motorsport team from the Principality, and representing them on the podium at the Monaco E-Prix was a definite highlight for me. The past two seasons have been a big learning curve for us all and unfortunately, for various reasons, we haven’t quite achieved what we hoped,” said Massa, adding that “despite that, it’s been a lot of fun and I wish the team nothing but the very best of luck for the future. I look forward to announcing my future plans in due course.”
Venturi Racing team principal Susie Wolff had kind words for her retiring racer: “I have a huge amount of respect for Felipe. It’s been a joy working with him again and I wish him the very best for future.”
PHOTO: Main photo: courtesy autosport.com
