Da Costa hails unseen "best overtakes of my life" in Rome E-Prix
Defending Formula E champion Antonio Felix da Costa reckons he completed “the best overtakes of my life” during the Rome E-Prix after they were missed by the TV feed.
After qualifying 18th for race one aboard the new DS Techeetah E-Tense FE21, introduced for the first double-header after the revised 5 April homologation window, da Costa climbed eight places up to 10th but retired on lap 20 with a puncture.
On Sunday, wet-dry qualifying conditions for the group one shootout meant da Costa qualified down in 15th but he bagged six points for progressing to seventh at the flag.
This was aided by an inside move on Sebastien Buemi while using attack mode before passing the sister Nissan e.dams car of Oliver Rowland over the start line using fanboost.
PLUS: How Vergne and Vandoorne found redemption in Rome
Da Costa heralded these as “the best overtakes of my life”, telling Autosport: "I have an onboard [camera] so somebody should dig them out.
"Between Saturday and Sunday I did the best overtakes of my life, some of them slightly over the edge.
"I had so much fun, two races really coming from the back.
"It was a shame with a puncture [but] we managed to capitalise on it and bring some points back home."
Antonio Felix da Costa, DS Techeetah
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Da Costa reckoned two-time teams’ champion DS Techeetah had already identified several areas to develop the E-Tense FE21 in time for the Valencia double-header across 24-25 April.
He said: "There's still a few things we could have done better on the background to make my life a little bit easier in the car.
"This is the good thing about this team, everyone is so open minded and so relaxed when it comes to improving.
"We already know four, five, six areas that we know what things to do better next time.
"It's just one of those weekends where nothing came my way, I really had to scrape hard to get something out of this weekend."
When da Costa was asked to pick out the main differences between last season’s car, in which he won three races to dominate the title race, and the new E-Tense FE 21, he said: "It's little quieter actually on the powertrain side.
"There are some improvements in terms of drivability and tools that we have to set-up the car as well regarding the powertrain.
"I am expecting some tracks to help us more than others. For sure, it's a step forward from last year.
"The good thing is that I know we have a competitive car, it's a winner. It's a matter of time until we until we get back up there."
Previous article
How Vergne and Vandoorne found redemption in Rome
Next article
Formula E had to debut a year ahead of schedule
About this article
| Series | Formula E |
| Event | Rome ePrix II |
| Drivers | Antonio Felix da Costa |
| Teams | Techeetah |
| Author | Matt Kew |
How Valencia E-Prix farce left Formula E with an image problem
Formula E was under the microscope at Valencia, on its first visit to a permanent circuit. But after a mere nine drivers were left classified following Saturday's Valencia E-Prix, the electric championship once more faced criticism after rising energy deductions and miscalculations produced a farcical affair
The silver bullet signing that has launched Jaguar into title contention
It's taken a long time for Jaguar to reach the cusp of contending for championships in Formula E. But, after last season's challenge crumbled in Berlin, the team has been bolstered by a top-line arrival who has helped to end an unwanted 30-year wait
How Vergne and Vandoorne found redemption in Rome
Another Formula E double-header, another double dose of frantic action. While the form guide remains unpredictable following fightback wins for Jean-Eric Vergne and Stoffel Vandoorne in Rome, the speed and consistency of Mercedes – both on and off the track – could have its rivals worried for what is to follow
What Nissan's commitment to Gen3 reveals about Formula E's future
Formula E's Gen3 era grid continues to take shape, after Nissan opted to commit to the series for another four years. Nissan's global chief operating officer explains why it has thrown its lot in with FE while other high-profile marques have decided to call it quits
Why the new Formula E season got off to such a controversial start
With the new Formula E season belatedly getting underway in Saudi Arabia, the championship appeared to try to make up for lost time with an overspill of action and controversy on and off the track. While some talking points could have serious repercussions, it was an explosive opener for many reasons
How Andretti is planning for life after BMW
Michael Andretti's team is a Formula E ever-present and that's not about to change despite BMW's forthcoming exit. But, with both its drivers contracted to the German giant and McLaren weighing up a possible entry, some key decisions lie ahead
The eight major plotlines to watch in Formula E 2021
The delayed 2020-21 Formula E season gets underway this week with a double-header in Saudi Arabia. The testing times were too close to call a favourite, but that's not the only area of interest to follow as the championship enters a crucial year
Why Formula E's 2021 season will be a crucial litmus test
As off-track politics threatens to overshadow events on it, the upcoming Formula E season is perhaps its most important since the championship's inception. And that's a shame, given that the focus should be on what promises to be its closest title fight yet
