Time means progress and progress means evolution. However, Felipe Massa believes that the current V6 Hybrid engines are way more powerful than the V8 era engines ever were. The former Ferrari and Williams driver retired from F1 in 2017, the Brazilian has experience of both engine formulas. He was speaking after a demonstration run at the Japanese Grand Prix in his former 2006 and 2010 Ferrari.

The V8 engine era lasted between 2006-2013, the switch to V6 hybrids followed in 2014. felipe Massa also said that the old V8 engines lacked the “power and aggression” of the current V6 turbo hybrids. However, Felipe Massa said he preferred driving the V8 spec cars because they were lighter and had a better change of direction. “the engine, while it is much more fun because there is more noise, there is much less power. So the engine that we have now is a lot more aggressive and more powerful than this old car.” said Massa. “I had a lot of fun driving these cars, feeling the car, the engine, also a lot of downforce you can feel as well.” enthused Massa. The V6 Hybrid turbo engines have been criticized for lacking the main characteristic of the naturally aspirated V8s. The noise. The modern V6 Hybrid engine note is suppressed due the turbocharging. While F1 bosses have made an effort to improve the aural engine note the V6 Hybrid is still fairly muted by comparison. “But the engine, while it is much more fun because there is more noise, there is much less power. So the engine that we have now is a lot more aggressive and more powerful than this old car.” “I would say I enjoy much more the old car because it is quite light, with the change of direction, the reaction.” In April 2018 it was announced that Felipe Massa would be taking part in Formula E racing for Venturi Grand Prix for 3 years starting with the 2018–19 Formula E season.  

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