Former Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa will return to compete in Round 6 of the 2018 Brazil Stock Car Championship, it has been announced.
The 37-year-old will drive for Cimed Racing, the team he drove for earlier in the 2018 season-opening Doubles Race, partnering with Caca Bueno. The pair finished 13th in the race in March after encountering engine issues while running third.
He will drive the Chevrolet at Autodromo Internacional Ayrton Senna circuit in Goiania on August 5 in the ‘Race of the Million’ where the winner will receive one million Brazilian Real as the prize.
“I am very happy to participate in the Million Race in Goiania with Cimed Racing,” said Maasa upon the announcement. “I made my first official race after 16 years in the F1 just in Interlagos in Stock Car in double with Caca Bueno [earlier this season].
“We were competitive in the race, walking in the top three until we had the engine problem, which prevented us from fighting for the podium. At the time I even joked that I wanted a new race because I got the taste of ‘I want more’.
“It is very special to race in such an important race as the Million Dollar Race. Thank you Cimed Racing for the opportunity and we are looking for a great result.” While he shared the car in the Doubles Race, this time he will drive the full race on his own.
“The whole team was impressed with his quick adaptation to the Stock Car car and it would be an honor to have Felipe again in our team,” said owner William Lube. “We’re going to have six cars working together to make sure everyone has a chance to fight for the Million.
“The race will be in the outer ring, which will further fuel the already competitive Stock.” The two Cimed Racing teams will have Brazilians Bueno, Marcos Gomes, Felipe Fraga, Lucas Foresti and the lone Argentine Agustin Canapino.
Among others, Lucas di Grassi is expected to drive for the Hero Motorsport outfit along with Portuguese Antonio Felix da Costa, while Texaco Racing will have Nelson Piquet Jr and Full Time Sports’ will field Rubens Barrichello.
This could be Massa’s last outing for the time being in the Brazilian Stock Car as the former Williams driver is preparing for his maiden FIA Formula E Championship drive for Venturi from Season 5 onward, starting in December.