Antonio Felix da Costa, the Portuguese racing driver, has been left disappointed and saddened by the news that he will not be continuing with the Jota Porsche Hypercar squad in the upcoming season. This decision came at the request of his employer in Formula E, and although da Costa understands the reasoning behind it, it doesn’t make the situation any less disheartening for him. As the reigning FE champion with DS Techeetah and the LMP2 WEC champion with Jota in 2022, da Costa had hoped to continue racing for the British team alongside his commitments with Porsche.
Expressing his feelings on the matter, da Costa admitted, “I am a little bit sad, but I understand why people higher up than me have decided this.” He acknowledges that Porsche has provided him with the opportunity to race in Formula E, so if he has to make this compromise, he will. However, as a racing driver, da Costa strongly believes that he should be racing every weekend. The disappointment is evident in his voice as he highlights the contradiction between his profession and the decision he must now accept.
Da Costa, who is 32 years old, has no qualms about undertaking a double program, as he has done so since 2014. In that year, he balanced racing in Formula E for the Aguri team with a DTM campaign driving for the BMW MTEK squad. Reflecting on this experience, da Costa confidently stated, “I know myself better than anyone else, and I think I manage my fitness and fatigue levels well. I have never missed a race in my career.” This proclamation attests to his determination and dedication to his craft.
Despite the disappointment of not being able to continue with Jota in the coming season, da Costa assures that he already had a deal in place to race for the team in one of the two Porsche 963 LMDhs planned for the WEC next year. The flexibility of the team to accommodate his Formula E schedule by allowing him to miss the Spa round in May demonstrates the potential for a harmonious collaboration. Additionally, da Costa does not rule out the possibility of returning to the WEC for a one-off race at the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours.
With an unwavering determination, da Costa affirms his future intentions, stating, “For sure I will be back: I have been on the podium in GTE Pro and won the championship in P2, and I want to do that in the top class. That’s why I am sad because this year I’d moved up into the top class, and I am now not going to get that chance next year.” The disappointment he feels is not a result of an ending, but rather the delay in achieving his goals in the highest class of racing.
Da Costa’s journey in the WEC began in 2018/19 as a BMW factory driver, maneuvering the German manufacturer’s M8 GTE. The following season, he transitioned to the prototype ranks with Jota, where his LMP2 career reached its peak. Alongside Will Stevens and Roberto Gonzalez, da Costa secured victory at Le Mans and claimed the class title. This success propelled Jota to elevate its status to Hypercar from the Spa round in April of this year. Currently, da Costa is racing the team’s solo 963 Hypercar alongside Will Stevens and Yifei Ye.
Porsche’s decision to part ways with da Costa leaves a void in Jota’s lineup for the upcoming season. The absence of da Costa disrupts the team’s plans, which could have potentially included some esteemed signings. The team has revealed that they are in talks with Formula 1 world champions Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button, along with Robert Kubica. The departure of da Costa presents an opportunity for Jota to consider these high-profile drivers to fill the shoes left empty by the Portuguese racer.
The news of Antonio Felix da Costa’s departure from the Jota Porsche Hypercar squad undoubtedly casts a shadow of uncertainty on his future. As he momentarily steps away from the team, da Costa remains determined to return and make his mark in the top class of the WEC. The disappointment of missing out on this opportunity is amplified by his belief that a racing driver should be competing every weekend. Still, da Costa’s resolve remains unwavering, setting the stage for an eagerly awaited comeback.
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