Felipe Massa will leave the Venturi Formula E team following the conclusion of today’s race in Berlin, the final round of the 2019-20 Formula E season.
Massa spent 14 years racing in Formula 1 with Ferrari and Williams, but has endured a difficult spell with the Monegasque team since making his debut in late 2018. After scoring 36 points including a podium at the team’s home race in Monaco last season, Massa struggled badly this season, contributing just three of his team’s total of 44 points.
Following the conclusion of today’s race, Venturi confirmed that it would be Massa’s final appearance with the team, but no announcement has been made regarding his replacement.
“Leaving a team is never an easy decision to make. We’ve made some good memories together and it’s given me the opportunity to learn something completely different from what I’m used to,” said Massa.
“I want to thank [Venturi President] Gildo Pastor and Susie Wolff for their faith in me. 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. Despite that, it’s been a lot of fun and I wish the team nothing but the very best of luck for the future.”
Wolff told Inside Electric on Tuesday that a decision on Massa’s future would come soon, and suggested that the decision on his future would lay with the Brazilian, saying: “it’s a decision that we’ll sit down together and discuss and see whether he [Massa] wants to continue in Formula E or not.”
In a statement issued shortly after today’s race, Wolff added: “Felipe has brought a lot to the team. Having someone of his profile, calibre and experience has been a big help in driving the team forward. 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 the future.”
Massa’s departure leaves a vacant seat alongside Edoardo Mortara for next season. The Swiss-Italian is expected to be retained after scoring the majority of Venturi’s points this season.
