Antonio Felix da Costa wins Formula E stunner in Cape Town
António Félix da Costa claimed victory in the inaugural Cape Town E-Prix with two stunning overtakes.
António Félix da Costa celebrates on the podium in Cape Town. (LAT Images / Formula E)
Da Costa claimed his first victory for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E team after two bold overtakes on Vergne along the high-speed twisting waterfront section of the track.
“For the first time I don't have a lot to say!” said the Portuguese driver.
“There was a lot of weight on my shoulders - thanks for the ones who have stuck with me and helped me get here. It has been a journey, it feels nice.”
The initial stage of the race featured front-row pairing Sacha Fenestraz and Mximiliam Günther, who traded places only seconds before a Full Course Yellow after a first-lap crash neutralised the field.
Championship leader Pascal Wehrlein locked up and speared into the rear of Sébastien Buemi, bringing the action to a halt before a lap had been completed.
Wehrlein retired with suspension damage wihile Buemi was able to rejoin at the rear of the field.
A budding duel between New Zealanders Nick Cassidy and Mitch Evans for third evaporated when Evans was penalised for over-power use, dropping him to the tail of the field and ultimately finishing out of the points in 11th.
One-time leader Günther hit the wall, bringing out the Full Course Yellow once again.
When the race resumed it was Cassidy ahead of da Costa, with the TAG Heuer Porsche driver making a brazen overtake for the lead of lap 24.
The only front-runner yet to finish his Attack Mode, da Costa missed the activation zone, allowing Vergne, now in second place, to close the gap and pass for the lead on the following lap.
Da Costa replicated his overtaking manoeuvre with just one lap remaining, this time passing Vergne for the lead.
“I knew it was going to be a strategic one, I've done this race before where you have to give that lead away and really plan a late move in the race because the energy was playing a big part, and so following was a bit of an advantage,” he said.
“So I wanted to be behind him for a few laps to build that energy advantage and use it, but I know leaving it late is always a risk and JEV is a very hard guy to overtake.”
“I thought I was gone for a moment there in T9! But it’s good to race him on a day like this.”
Kiwi Nick Cassidy returned to the podium for a second week in a row after Fenestraz collected the wall on the final lap.
“We have been strong and I am going to walk away with a smile,” said Cassidy.
“A part of me feels we should have won that race, we had a few issues we were battling with - the full course yellow really hurt us as well."
“It was a bit of a luck of the draw how it changed the energy in the race, but that's motorsport so you've got to me happy with that.”
