MONACO – Former Formula One driver Felipe Massa has signed a three-year deal with the Venturi Formula E Team to compete in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

Massa will make his debut with the team beginning with season five later this year.

“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,” Massa said. “For many 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.

“Gildo [Pastor, Venturi president] has always been a step ahead when it comes to high performance electricity vehicles,” noted Massa. “The team is in a phase of growth and development. I’ll do everything I can to contribute to the project and hopefully I’ll be among the frontrunners.”

The Venturi team currently ranks seventh in this season’s Formula E team’s standings. It has been a part of the Formula E championship in every season since the series’ inception in 2014.

“It’s an honour to welcome Felipe to the Venturi family,” said Pastor. “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.”

Massa competed for a decade and a half in Formula One, amassing 11 grand prix wins, 41 podiums and 1,167 career points in 269 career starts. The 35-year-old Brazilian raced for Sauber and Ferrari before spending the final four years of his F-1 career with Williams.

“Felipe’s 15 years’ [racing] experience in Formula 1 will definitely give us a boost,” added Pastor. “And with his humble nature, I know he will listen to the team and master the discipline quickly.”