Antonio Felix da Costa, the talented Portuguese racing driver, finds himself navigating an exceptionally demanding schedule as he competes simultaneously in two premier motorsport championships. The Jaguar TCS Racing driver recently took to social media to provide fans with a detailed explanation of his nonstop racing commitments, offering a rare glimpse into the life of a professional driver balancing multiple series.
From Formula E to Endurance Racing: A Driver's Dual Life
The 34-year-old motorsport star has just completed the grueling 24 Hours of Daytona endurance race and is now preparing for Round 3 of the Formula E championship in Miami on January 31. In a candid Instagram video that has since gone viral among racing enthusiasts, da Costa broke down his complex racing calendar for followers who might find it challenging to track his various commitments.
Decoding the Racing Calendar
Da Costa captioned his video with a message to fans: "I know that even for those who follow, sometimes it's hard to understand what I'm doing. Here is a quick explanation. I hope this helps. #MrWorldWide." Speaking in Portuguese with English translations provided, the driver offered a simplified breakdown of his professional engagements.
"One weekend is Formula E, the other weekend is WEC," da Costa explained. "What is WEC? Another weekend is a yellow and green car in Daytona, so let's make it easier. To simplify, I essentially do two things, two world championships: the Formula E World Championship and the World Endurance Championship."
Understanding the Championships
The driver elaborated on his dual championship participation, stating: "The World Endurance Championship is where the 24 Hours of Le Mans is included. It's part of a championship of eight races, which are 6 hours, 8 hours, and 10 hours around the world. In the Formula E World Championship, I'm an official Jaguar driver; I race for Jaguar in Formula E. And this year, in the World Endurance Championship, I'm an Alpine factory driver."
Da Costa also clarified his occasional Formula 1 appearances, though his primary focus remains on his two main championship commitments. His explanation provided valuable context for fans trying to understand how a driver can maintain such a packed international schedule.
Daytona 24 Hours Experience
Discussing his recent participation in the legendary 24 Hours of Daytona, da Costa shared details about his specific role in the endurance classic. "I do it in an LMP2, which is an intermediate class," he explained. "There are the Hypercars and the GTs, and the LMP2 is the intermediate class. I race in car 43. Only this race. I don't do the whole championship, but this race is so special that when you get an invitation, you have to come and do it."
Looking Ahead: Miami and Beyond
The Portuguese driver outlined his immediate plans following the Daytona event. "So, after this race here in Daytona, we go straight to Miami for Formula E next weekend. In a month, the WEC starts in Qatar, and we'll be racing these big cars on big circuits. I can't complain. See you!" he concluded with characteristic enthusiasm.
Fan Reactions to the Revealing Video
Racing enthusiasts responded enthusiastically to da Costa's transparent explanation of his schedule. One fan commented appreciatively: "Needless to say: you inspire a lot of people, tell good jokes, and add a touch of golf and surfing." Another admirer marveled at his relentless pace: "Dang man, even when he's not running, he's always running!"
Further reactions included heartfelt messages like "We love watching you run where you love the most, champ!" and "Dream life, literally," highlighting how da Costa's dedication and passion resonate with motorsport followers worldwide.
Upcoming Miami E-Prix
Antonio Felix da Costa will be representing Jaguar TCS Racing at the upcoming Miami E-Prix, partnering with teammate Mitch Evans. The event marks Round 3 of Formula E's twelfth season and will take place at the new Miami International Autodrome on January 31. This race represents another crucial opportunity for da Costa to demonstrate his skills in electric racing while maintaining his commitments to endurance competition.
The driver's ability to manage such a demanding schedule across different racing disciplines continues to impress both fans and motorsport professionals. His transparent communication about the challenges and rewards of competing in multiple championships provides valuable insight into the realities of modern professional racing.