As the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship prepares to celebrate a significant milestone, one of its original pioneers is set to mark the occasion. Antonio Felix da Costa, the Portuguese driver for Jaguar TCS Racing, will compete in the historic 150th Formula E race at the Mexico City E-Prix on Saturday, January 10. Having been part of the series since its inaugural season in 2014, da Costa offers a unique perspective on the electric racing series' remarkable transformation.
From Two Cars to One: A Technical Revolution
In a recent video shared by FIA Formula E on Instagram, da Costa reflected on the championship's dramatic technical evolution. He highlighted the humble beginnings, stating that the early cars produced only 130 horsepower, a figure so low that drivers were required to use two cars to complete a single race distance. "The rate of development that I’ve seen in the last 12 years, on car technology alone, has been incredible," da Costa remarked.
He also emphasized Formula E's pioneering role in bringing top-tier motorsport to city centers, hosting races in iconic urban locales like New York City, London, and Paris. "Pulling things that other series have been trying for ages to make happen, and we were making that stuff happen," he added with pride.
The Gen2 Leap and a Personal Turning Point
For da Costa, the introduction of the Gen2 car marked a pivotal moment for the championship's credibility. "That first race of the Gen2 era, that’s really where Formula E took a step and started gaining serious respect from the motorsport world," he explained. The cars became faster, more efficient, and crucially, race-long durability meant only one car was needed.
He pinpointed the first-ever race in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as a personal career catalyst. "I was on pole and I won that race, and that was kind of a reintroduction for myself to the series. I finally had a car I could fight with," da Costa shared. That victory reshaped his mindset, solidifying his commitment to winning in Formula E. "It’s now seven years on, and I go to bed and wake up thinking about how I can win Formula E races and championships," he confessed.
Looking Ahead to Gen4 and Fan Aspirations
The driver's excitement for the future is palpable. In comments on the social media post, da Costa simply stated he "can’t wait for Gen4," a sentiment echoed by Formula E's official page which promised "Plenty more good times to come!" Fans joined the conversation, expressing desires to see the all-electric series race on classic circuits like Spa, Silverstone, and Estoril.
One fan astutely noted the staggering progress, pointing out that by Gen4, the power difference between race mode and attack mode will be equivalent to the total output of a Gen1 car (150 kW), with a maximum power output reaching 600 kW. This highlights the untapped potential still remaining in electric vehicle technology.
Da Costa's Stellar Formula E Career
Antonio Felix da Costa's career statistics underscore his integral role in the championship's history. Out of the 150 races held, he has competed in 145. His crowning achievement was winning the World Championship in the 2019–20 season. Over 12 years, he has amassed an impressive record of 27 podiums, which include 12 wins and eight pole positions.
His next challenge is the Season 12, Round 2 race in Mexico City, where he will add another chapter to his and Formula E's evolving story.
