Formula E champion da Costa replaces Mauricio due to COVID-19
Three-time Stock Car Brazil Pro Series champion Ricardo Mauricio has tested positive for COVID-19 and will be replaced for the Interlagos round by current Formula E champion Antonio Felix da Costa.
Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
The Eurofarma Team reported that Mauricio is feeling fine, “with only mild symptoms” of the virus that has swept the world and in his place the team has selected da Costa, who won the recent Formula E Monaco E-Prix for DS Techeetah.
He is scheduled to arrive in Sao Paulo on Thursday, ahead of this weekend’s round at the Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix venue.
“For me, it is an honour and a responsibility to represent Ricardo Mauricio and the Eurofarma Team at this round,” said da Costa.
“I know we are going to race against the clock [to be prepared for this weekend’s races] and the car is different from the ones I have already driven in the series, but we will do a very focused job.”
This will be da Costa's fifth participation in the Stock Car Pro Series. In 2018, he was one of the guest stars in the Corrida do Milhao (Million Race) and finished third. Da Costa also was in the ‘Doubles Race’ endurance events in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
“Everyone knows about my love for Brazil and for this series, so I am very happy to be back,” he added. “I don’t like the reason, but that does not make this moment any less special. Ricardo is one of the monsters of Brazilian motorsport and is entrusting me with this mission, and I will do my best to represent him.”
Antonio Felix Da Costa, DS Techeetah
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Da Costa will compete against some of Brazil’s most famous racers, including former Formula E rival Felipe Massa and another multiple F1 Grand Prix winner for Ferrari, Rubens Barrichello. Nelson Piquet Jr and Tony Kanaan also feature in a championship that is led by two-time Le Mans class winner – and another three-times series champion – Daniel Serra.
The free practice sessions and qualifying for the second round of the 2021 Stock Car Brazil Pro Series will take place this Saturday, before the two races on Sunday. The races will be broadcast live on Motorsport.tv.
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