Massa: Formula E now plan B for F1 drivers
Formula E is fast becoming the obvious 'plan B' for Formula 1 drivers.
That is the view of Felipe Massa, the former 11-time grand prix winner for Ferrari who now drives in the increasingly popular all-electric series.
Mercedes and Porsche have signed up for the new Formula E season, which kicks off this weekend in Saudi Arabia.
Other former F1 drivers on the grid are Brendon Hartley, Pascal Wehrlein, Stoffel Vandoorne and others, while the new Formula 2 champion Nyck de Vries is racing for the new works Mercedes team.
And while Formula 1 features only four carmakers, in Formula E there are six, also including Audi, BMW, Nissan and Jaguar.
"Formula E is doing exactly what needs to be done. It is growing," 38-year-old Massa told the Mirror.
"When a championship is growing and getting bigger and bigger, all the big names are interested. It was the only championship I was looking to come and race after Formula 1."
Formula E aside, there are still multiple premier racing categories for professional drivers to consider, like Indycar, Super Formula, WEC and DTM.
Massa said: "I concentrate on Formula E, because I believe in the future of Formula E more than I believe in the future of the other championship.
"I am sure that any driver that does not have the possibility to stay in Formula 1, they will try and come to Formula E. I am 100 percent sure.
"Every driver here can race in Formula 1 and everyone here can be successful in Formula 1 in the end," added the Brazilian.
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IMO I watch but I'm not a huge fan of FE, mainly because I do not appreciate the transient nature of temporary street circuits. However, it is probably time to admit that this series is not going away and that it is drawing interest from good racers and teams. Ah, the future. Next stop, lukewarm beer.
".... Ah, the future. Next stop, lukewarm beer...."
Moving to England?
That, or climate change will shut down my fridge. Both are scary.
formula e is a total bore,, high pitched whining motors, wide cars, narrow tracks, no passing ..snore...at least when the drivers had to change cars half way thru you had the possibility of a comedic interlude if he fell over trying to get into the 2nd car
Patricia, get used to it. Not today or even tomorrow. but where we are headed is drone like cars controlled by 12 yr. olds sitting on a platform playing with a joystick...RCR here we come. Hey, I have seen studies that suggest people under 30 don't even want to drive a car. I've seen the future and it sucks.
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