Felipe Massa has announced he will join the Formula E championship next season.

Massa, the Brazilian who competed in 269 grands prix and was pipped to the 2008 Formula One world title by Lewis Hamilton, is to race for the Venturi team.

The 37-year-old retired from F1 at the end of last year and is the most established name to make the move to the all-electric series.

Massa, who was in Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya paddock last week during the Spanish Grand Prix, will begin testing later this month.

The new Formula E season gets under way later this year.

“For some years now, I’ve been clear about my interest in this innovative, forward-looking discipline that’s developing exponentially,” said Massa, who has signed a three-year deal.

“I especially like the format of race meetings, the city-centre circuits and the contact with the fans.

“I’m very happy to be joining the Venturi Formula E Team and the Formula E championship, which has become a magnificent competition in such a short space of time. I can’t wait to take part in testing at the end of the month.

“The team is in a phase of growth and development. I’ll do everything I can to contribute to the project and hopefully I’ll be among the front-runners.”

Hamilton’s former rival Nico Rosberg will showcase the next generation of Formula E car ahead of this week’s race in Berlin.

Rosberg, who retired five days after beating Hamilton to the 2016 championship, is a shareholder in the FIA-accredited series but has no plans to compete.