Felipe Massa reckons Formula E will attract any driver not making it into Formula 1 as the electric car series is “getting bigger and bigger”.

This weekend the sixth season of Formula E gets underway in Saudi Arabia with back-to-back events on Friday and Saturday.

This season’s field includes car manufacturers Porsche and Mercedes, who are making their FE debuts as works teams.

Massa is one of the 24 drivers competing, lining up on the grid for ROKiT Venturi Racing.

“Formula E is doing exactly what needs to be done. It is growing,” the Brazilian told the Mirror.

“When a championship is growing and getting bigger and bigger, all the big names are interested.

“I was interested. I was following Formula E from the beginning and it was interesting. It was the only championship I was looking to come and race after Formula One.

“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 One, they will try and come to Formula E, I am 100 per cent sure.”

Last year, his first season in Formula E, Massa secured one podium finish with a third-place result at the Monaco ePrix.

“I always say that comparing Formula E to the other championships is like comparing playing football in the field and playing football in the sand,” he added.

“It is the same sport, but how you play it is different. The way you run, the way the ball is jumping, the strategy, everything is different. It is the same for Formula E.”

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