Massa to depart Venturi Formula E team after 2019-20 finale

Venturi has announced that ex-Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa is leaving the team following the conclusion of the 2019-20 Formula E season.

Massa finished 16th in what will mark his final race outing for Venturi in the Berlin finale which was won by Mercedes driver Stoffel Vandoorne, minutes before the Monaco-based team announced the 39-year-old Brazilian’s departure.

It is a premature end to the three-year contract Massa signed when he moved to Formula E, having made the switch from his final F1 appearance with Williams at the end of the 2017 season.

Massa finished the 2019-20 season 22nd in the championship having scored just three points throughout the season, with the most recent top-10 outing coming in the fourth race at Berlin’s Tempelhof Airport Street Circuit. He was ultimately outscored by Venturi teammate Edoardo Mortara by a margin of 38 points.

Massa’s best Formula E result came with a third-place finish in the 2019 Monaco E-Prix.

"Leaving a team is never an easy decision to make," Massa said.

"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, so first of all I want to thank [Venturi president] Gildo [Pastor] and [team principal] 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.

“I look forward to announcing my future plans in due course.”

Venturi Formula E team principal Susie 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 future.”

Venturi ended the 2019-20 campaign 10th in the teams’ championship, ahead of the Dragon and NIO 333 squads.