The 2023-24 Formula E season was a tale of two distinct halves for Antonio Felix da Costa. Once on the brink of irrelevance with inconsistent performances, the Portuguese driver roared back with a stunning streak of four wins in five races, salvaging what seemed like a lost campaign and reasserting his place in the TAG Heuer Porsche lineup. Although his late charge fell short of securing the championship, it laid the groundwork for a dominant start to the 2024-25 season, where da Costa now leads the standings after back-to-back second-place finishes.
A Comeback Fueled by Consistency
Reflecting on his up-and-down journey last season, da Costa recognized the importance of consistency in a championship run.
“I told myself after last year that consistency is key to try and have a crack at this championship,” he said. “We’re trying to do just that. Of course, I wanted to win today, but we have to be happy with those 18 points.”
With this mindset, the Portuguese star has transformed his approach, prioritizing steady podium finishes over sporadic flashes of brilliance. His strategy appears to be paying dividends, as he now sits atop the championship leaderboard.
Mexico City: A Missed Opportunity or a Strategic Success?
At the Mexico City E-Prix, da Costa finished second to Oliver Rowland, who capitalized on a well-timed safety car restart and remaining Attack Mode to seize victory. While da Costa and teammate Pascal Wehrlein appeared poised for a Porsche one-two after their front row lockout in qualifying, the late-race chaos disrupted their plans.
“I thought we had the one-two today for the team, and then that safety car… it ruined our party a little bit, and our plan,” da Costa remarked. “But Oliver was very decisive, and it’s always good to race him when it’s hard and fair like that.”
The race also saw da Costa managing the dual threat of Rowland and Mitch Evans, both of whom still had Attack Mode available when the safety car bunched up the field. Although Evans ultimately retired, causing another safety car, da Costa admitted that the race could have unfolded differently had the interruptions not occurred.
“At the time, I think both myself and Pascal were good on energy, so it would have been a nice fight either way with Oliver at the end, had that safety car not come out.”
Lessons from 2023-24 Driving 2025 Ambitions
Last season’s inconsistency forced da Costa to reevaluate his approach. The result has been a more measured and calculated driving style, focused on minimizing errors and maximizing points. This season, he is not just racing for wins but ensuring a steady accumulation of points to maintain his championship lead.
With TAG Heuer Porsche delivering competitive machinery, da Costa’s renewed focus on consistency positions him as a clear title favorite. His ability to learn from past struggles and adapt his strategy demonstrates why he’s regarded as one of Formula E’s most formidable competitors.
The Path Ahead
As the Formula E calendar progresses, da Costa knows the battle is far from over. With fierce competitors like Rowland and Evans showing their capabilities, the championship fight promises to be as unpredictable as ever. However, if da Costa continues to deliver steady results, his dream of reclaiming the Formula E crown could become a reality.
