Image: Andrew Ferraro, courtesy of Formula E
Antonio Felix da Costa, from Tag Heuer Porsche, recently had a conversation with another person. The veteran Portuguese driver has had a few challenging weeks. In the previous race in Misano, he experienced a mix of emotions when he won his first race since last season in Cape Town. However, the victory was short-lived as it was later stripped due to an illegal throttle damper spring. Despite this setback, da Costa remains optimistic and focused on the positive aspects of his performance. He believes that he and his team have been consistently competitive and fighting for podiums in every race since Brazil. Although the start of the season has been tough, da Costa is motivated and enjoying his time on track.
Da Costa acknowledges that his recent form may have gone unnoticed due to the fast-paced nature of Formula E races. He believes he has been performing well and has been close to achieving even better results. He reflects on past races where he was leading at some point or narrowly missed out on a podium finish. Despite the challenges, da Costa remains determined and sees many opportunities ahead.
After winning in Misano, da Costa expressed his emotions to his team, asking them to stick with him. He clarifies that his statement was not just about his personal feelings, but also about promoting a sense of unity within the team. He believes that victories and success bring people closer together and strengthen the team spirit. Da Costa’s goal is to continue racing for Porsche and achieve more success with the brand he loves.
Although da Costa’s focus is on his own performance, he recognizes that his success on the track can also impact his future with Porsche. However, he has changed his mindset and now races for himself, knowing that if he does well, it will benefit everyone involved. He remains optimistic about the second half of the season and believes there are still many opportunities to compete for the title.
Looking at the race in Monaco, da Costa acknowledges that Nissan-powered cars have been strong in previous races. However, he believes that Porsche can challenge them and is confident in the improvements the team has made. Da Costa also expresses his desire for Formula E to prioritize street circuits, like Monaco, as they are the essence of the series. He suggests looking for larger and faster street circuits instead of relying on facilities built specifically for racing.
In conclusion, da Costa remains focused on his performance on the track and is determined to turn around the season. He believes in Porsche’s potential and is committed to achieving success with the brand. He also emphasizes the importance of street circuits in Formula E and suggests exploring more options similar to Monaco. A faster and wider street circuit, like Baku, could be a suitable addition to the championship without compromising its core identity.