Challenge accepted: watch Massa take on a falcon in the Gen2

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Challenge accepted: watch Massa take on a falcon in the Gen2

Formula E listens to fans by pitting new-look Gen2 car and Felipe Massa in race against a peregrine falcon

Challenge accepted: watch Massa take on a falcon in the Gen2
Just over a year has passed since we pitched our reigning champion and DS Techeetah driver Jean-Eric Vergne against a real-life Cheetah on the Western Cape of South Africa.

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Despite the Frenchman's narrow victory against the fastest land mammal, you asked for a rematch - challenging the ABB FIA Formula E Championship to race an animal capable of reaching speeds in excess of 350 km/h (217 mph) when diving through the skies. Enter the mighty peregrine falcon. 
 
Challenge accepted. With that, we took Felipe Massa (Venturi Formula E Team), attached a lure to the roll hoop of the Gen2 car and pitched him against a real-life peregrine falcon 90-kilometres south-west of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ad Diriyah - the site of the season-opening 2018 SAUDIA Ad Diriyah E-Prix on December 15. Catch all the action here. 
 
“It was an incredible experience for me to race against the fastest member of the animal kingdom - it’s not something I will forget in a hurry," said Massa. 
 
"I like the fact that this idea came from the fans, and Formula E listened and accepted the challenge. 
 
"The footage from the drive is very special and it was a privilege to take part. 
 
"I’m looking forward to returning to Ad Diriyah and to start racing. It’ll be my first race in Formula E and I’m eager to get behind the wheel again. I’ve missed racing and this series has shown to be one of the most competitive out there.”
 
The result? Well, find out for yourself in the clip below.