Da Costa's new Formula E consistency leads championship after back-to-back podiums
After a rocky start to the 2023-24 Formula E season, Antonio Felix da Costa has found his rhythm, currently leading the championship with back-to-back second-place finishes. This marks a significant turnaround from his previous season's inconsistent performance.
Formula E race car in action
The Portuguese driver's strategy shift focuses on consistency, a lesson learned from last season where he secured four wins in five races but fell short of the championship. "I told myself after last year that consistency is key to try and have a crack at this championship," da Costa reflected.
In the recent Mexico City E-Prix, da Costa finished behind Oliver Rowland, who capitalized on his remaining Attack Mode following a safety car restart. Da Costa believes that without the safety car intervention, TAG Heuer Porsche could have secured a one-two finish, given their strong qualifying performance and energy management strategy.
The race dynamics shifted particularly when both Rowland and Mitch Evans (who later retired) had Attack Mode remaining during the safety car period. Despite this challenge, da Costa maintained his composure, demonstrating the consistent approach that's defining his Season 10 campaign.
"We were keeping an eye on the guys that had attack mode left," da Costa explained, noting that both he and teammate Pascal Wehrlein were well-positioned on energy management before the safety car disrupted their strategy. This tactical awareness and adaptability showcase da Costa's evolved approach to racing, prioritizing steady points accumulation over high-risk maneuvers.