Antonio Felix da Costa is laser-focused on the Formula E World Championship and believes that racing intelligence and knowing when to take risks will be the key to securing his second title.
Currently leading the standings after securing back-to-back second-place finishes in the opening rounds, the Porsche driver understands that consistency—not just race wins—is the key to success.
“We just have to keep doing what we’re doing, race smart, and measure the risks that we take,” da Costa told reporters. “I want this to be the year of consistency, and I think that’s the key.”
Managing Risks vs. Rewards
In the unpredictable world of Formula E, where energy management and split-second decisions define races, da Costa emphasized that picking the right battles is critical.
“We were in contention to win two races, but in the end, we settled for second, because we know the end game.”
It’s a long championship, and while winning races is crucial, finishing in the points consistently is what separates champions from challengers.
Da Costa learned this lesson the hard way in Season 10, where he won four races but finished only P5 in the standings due to inconsistencies.
Accepting the Role of Luck in Formula E
The Porsche driver also acknowledged that luck plays a role in Formula E. With the series’ energy-sensitive racing format and chaotic street circuits, gamblers sometimes get rewarded.
“There will be more people winning races with a little bit of luck this year, and that’s fine,” da Costa admitted. “If we lose a race because we did something wrong, then yes, we need to slap ourselves on the wrist and learn from it.”
But when rivals like Mitch Evans (Jaguar) and Oliver Rowland (Nissan) take victories due to strategy gambles, he accepts it as part of the sport.
“Losing to Mitch in Brazil and Oliver in Mexico—it’s a shame, but I won’t be angry about those.”
Jeddah Challenge: A Smooth but Unfamiliar Circuit
This weekend, Formula E heads to Saudi Arabia, where the Jeddah Corniche Circuit will host its first-ever Formula E race.
Unlike the usual bumpy street circuits, Jeddah’s smooth surface will present a unique challenge for drivers.
“Whenever we go to super smooth places, it feels really weird for me. We’re not spoiled with this type of track,” da Costa said.
Despite the unusual conditions, Porsche has a strong track record on permanent circuits, which gives the Portuguese driver confidence.
“Looking at Misano, Mexico, and Shanghai, we’ve done well in these places, so I’m not anticipating anything out of the ordinary here.”
The Big Picture: A Title in Sight
With Porsche delivering a competitive car, da Costa sees a top-five finish in Jeddah as a realistic target. More importantly, he is sticking to his game plan of smart, calculated racing rather than reckless risk-taking.
“We have everything to be in the top five. The flow of the track seems pretty cool in the sim. Let’s see.”
After missing out on the championship fight last season, da Costa is determined to turn his strong start into a title-winning campaign. And if he continues to balance aggression with intelligence, the Formula E crown might just be within his reach.
