Breaking news
Formula E
Nato replaces Massa at Venturi FE team
The Venturi Racing Formula E squad has promoted its reserve driver Norman Nato to the race team to replace Felipe Massa for the 2020/21 season.
Matt Kew
Edited: Oct 17, 2020, 12:29 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
French driver Nato, who has competed in the LMP1 ranks of the FIA World Endurance Championship for Rebellion Racing, has served as Venturi's simulator and reserve driver since 2018.
He has now been called up to replace 11-time Formula 1 race winner Massa, whose exit from Venturi was announced minutes after the finish of the final race of the 2019-20 campaign.
Nato will partner Edoardo Mortara, with the 2019 Hong Kong E-Prix victor set to contest his fourth season for the Monegasque outfit.
"I'm ready and I know it's going to be difficult," Nato told Motorsport.com. "I need time to learn but the main goal for me is to have no regrets at the end of the year.
"The most important thing is to score points every weekend. That's the only target we have so far."
Nato, 28, took part in the Marrakesh rookie test last season, setting the sixth fastest time on a 1m17.302s to outpace his temporary teammate Arthur Leclerc by 0.7s.
He was also quicker than rookies Jake Hughes and Daniel Juncadella, who contested the two sessions for Mercedes, of which Venturi is a powertrain customer.
Nato added: "After the Marrakesh rookie test was quite successful with the team, I knew it could be an opportunity for the seat for next season.
"I spent a lot of days in the simulator. And to be honest, as I say to Susie [Wolff, Venturi team principal], I did the best I could to show to the team that I'm ready for Formula E and I deserve the seat.
"Just being in the simulator during the race weekend was quite frustrating because most of the guys who are racing in Formula E are the guys I've been fighting with in the past so I couldn't wait to go and finally race with them."
Nato has risen through junior categories such as World Series by Renault and both GP2 and FIA Formula 2 competing against FE incumbents Robin Frijns, Stoffel Vandoorne and Nico Muller.
Motorsport.com understands that Nato had also been in talks with other FE teams about a seat if the Venturi option did not become available – possibly Dragon and NIO 333.
Wolff added: "As our reserve driver, Norman has proven his ability at every available opportunity, not only showing speed during in-season testing but also demonstrating clear commitment to his role in our simulator.
"The decision to promote him to a full-time race seat is indicative of his contribution to the team so far - he has earned the opportunity to show us what he can do behind the wheel.
The 2020/21 calendar, the seventh season of FE, is set to commence in Santiago on January 16.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Bird completes first Formula E test with Jaguar
Next article FE "keen to explore" Portugal race after da Costa showrun
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Matt Kew
Marko suggests Perez's improved F1 form because 2025 contract at stake
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Marko suggests Perez's improved F1 form because 2025 contract at stake
Russell explains how low-fuel runs expose Mercedes F1 inconsistency
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Russell explains how low-fuel runs expose Mercedes F1 inconsistency
Leclerc: No answer for "once in a season" Japan F1 qualifying struggle
Formula 1
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Leclerc: No answer for "once in a season" Japan F1 qualifying struggle
More from
Norman Nato
Frederik Vesti steps up to full-time role as Cadillac Racing details 2027 IMSA lineup
IMSA
IMSA
Frederik Vesti steps up to full-time role as Cadillac Racing details 2027 IMSA lineup
Is Cadillac walking into a trap of its own making while chasing victory at Le Mans?
WEC
WEC
24 Hours of Le Mans
Is Cadillac walking into a trap of its own making while chasing victory at Le Mans?
Nato rejoins Nissan Formula E team in place of Fenestraz
Formula E
Formula E
London ePrix II
Nato rejoins Nissan Formula E team in place of Fenestraz
More from
Venturi
Venturi boss d'Ambrosio leaves rebranded Maserati Formula E team
Formula E
Formula E
Venturi boss d'Ambrosio leaves rebranded Maserati Formula E team
Di Grassi's 1000th Formula E point an "emotional" landmark
Formula E
Formula E
Seoul ePrix I
Di Grassi's 1000th Formula E point an "emotional" landmark
Di Grassi explains London Formula E race-winning tactics
Formula E
Formula E
London ePrix II
Di Grassi explains London Formula E race-winning tactics
Latest news
F1 United States GP live commentary and updates - Will Kimi Antonelli become champion?
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
33 min
F1 United States GP live commentary and updates - Will Kimi Antonelli become champion?
Charles Leclerc reacts to Ferrari fear: 'We know what line not to cross'
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
3 h
Charles Leclerc reacts to Ferrari fear: 'We know what line not to cross'
Kyle Busch Remembered: Rowdy's wildest and most impressive Talladega moments
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
3 h
Kyle Busch Remembered: Rowdy's wildest and most impressive Talladega moments
Lamborghini World Finals PRO-PRO/AM Race 2: Leitch/Stasi dominate to seal title
Lamborghini Super Trofeo
LBST Lamborghini Super Trofeo
World Finals - Monza 2026
4 h
Lamborghini World Finals PRO-PRO/AM Race 2: Leitch/Stasi dominate to seal title
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe