Former Formula 1 driver Mark Webber believes that attracting high-quality drivers to Formula E, such as Felipe Massa, will help the all-electric single seater series grow in the future.
Webber raced alongside Massa in Formula 1 from 2002-2013 where the pair regularly shared the same part of the track, battling against one another throughout this period when driving for Red Bull Racing and Ferrari respectively.
Earlier this week, it was announced that Massa will join the FIA Formula E Championship from Season Five, signing a three-year deal with Venturi which will see him drive the all-new Gen2 car which replaces the series' current Spark SRT 01E machinery that has been in use since Formula E's inaugural season in 2014.
“Yeah, it’s good [that Massa is joining Formula E]," Webber told Motorsport Week.
"He’s obviously a top-flight driver, he’s had an incredible Formula 1 career. I think it’s perfect that he has the chance to race in Formula E, he’s a real racer."
With Massa joining the grid next season, the all-electric single seater series now boasts an impressive driver line-up, having seven ex-F1 drivers in the championship including former Toro Rosso driver Jean-Eric Vergne, Season Two champion Sebastien Buemi and reigning Formula E champion Lucas di Grassi on the grid in the 2017/18 season.
Outside of the field of 20 drivers, the championship has also boasts having 2016 Formula 1 World Champion Nico Rosberg as one of its backers, with Rosberg driving the new Gen2 car through the streets of Berlin on Friday.
Webber believes that attracting drivers of the same calibre as Massa will help Formula E grow, stating that it could become a championship with "sensational" status.
"He’ll race hard and it’s a brilliant opportunity for him to also help," continued Webber.
"The more drivers we can get like that, to even boost the quality of drivers we already have in Formula E, that’s going to be sensational.”
