©Venturi
Future Formula E racer Felipe Massa put a massive 800 km under his belt at the wheel of the Venturi team's new Gen2 car at the Ales-Cevennes circuit in the south of France.
The Brazilian, who retired from F1 at the end of last year, has signed a three-year deal to compete in Formula E with the Monaco-based Venturi squad, and will start his new career when the burgeoning electric series kicks off its fifth season later this year.
Formula E founder and CEO Alejandro Agag says putting Massa on the electric grid was the result of discussions that started three years ago.
"Things don't happen overnight," the Spaniard told Motorsport.com.
"Everything – with Nico Rosberg [an investor in FE], Felipe – is a result of a lot of work and preparation.
"We have been talking to Felipe for three years and I think he's a great driver and a great guy – a personal friend.
"We pushed a lot for Felipe to come but at the end of the day it's the teams who make the decisions – I cannot impose a driver on the teams.
"I can just hope that they will do it. Luckily Felipe did a deal with Gildo [Pastor, Venturi president] – and I think it's great."
©Venturi
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