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Felipe Massa to attend FIA Sport Conference in PH

Expected to participate in e-karting demo on June 6

Filipino Formula 1 enthusiasts will get the chance to watch this dude drive an electric kart. PHOTO FROM WILLIAMS

What Formula 1 fan doesn’t know Brazilian racing driver Felipe Massa—he who famously lost the 2008 championship title to Lewis Hamilton by a single point, and then almost lost his life in a qualifying-session accident the following year?

The retired F1 driver—who competed in the top motorsport series for a total of 15 years—is coming to Manila to take part in the 2018 FIA Sport Conference scheduled for June 4 to 6, according to a press statement released by Automobile Association Philippines, the national sporting authority acknowledged by Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile in the country.

Massa had been a Formula Renault and Euro Formula 3000 champion before he joined Formula 1, where he drove for Sauber, Ferrari and Williams. He bowed out of the series at the end of the 2017 season, having scored 11 victories and 16 pole positions throughout his F1 career.

Here's an example of an electric kart, which Massa will be driving in Manila in June. PHOTO FROM PLAY AND DRIVE

The AAP statement says that the FIA will be bringing in six units of electric karts for an e-karting demo on June 6. Massa is said to be participating in this activity, with the former F1 driver tasked to set an official time which local karters and other guest drivers will try to beat.

Besides the e-karting demo, the FIA will also hold other motorsport activities like drifting, gymkhana and even the final round of the Gran Turismo Asian Championship. The venue will be the SM Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay City.

The Philippines will be the first Asian country to host the annual FIA Sport Conference, which aims to discuss present and future issues affecting the world of automotive racing. The event will be supported by the Department of Tourism, and sponsored by Petron Corporation, San Miguel Corporation, BMW Philippines, Hyundai Philippines and Philippine Airlines.

Mark your calendar.



Vernon B. Sarne

Vernon is the founder and editor-in-chief of VISOR. He has been an automotive journalist for 26 years. He became one by serendipity, walking into the office of a small publishing company and applying for a position he had no idea was for a local car magazine. God has watched over him throughout his humble journey. He writes the ‘Spoiler’ column.



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