In a competitive Round 6 of Formula E’s Season 10, Antonio Felix da Costa delivered a masterful performance to secure victory at the Misano E-Prix, highlighting a season that has now seen six different winners in as many races.
Da Costa, driving for TAG Heuer Porsche, began the race in 13th place but his strategic acumen saw him leading the pack by the penultimate laps, overtaking Oliver Rowland of Nissan for a gripping finish.
From the start, da Costa aggressively made his presence felt, moving into the top three by the fifth lap. Misano’s challenging circuit required astute energy management, with drivers starting with only 60 to 70% of the necessary race energy and relying on regenerative braking to complete the race. This element was pivotal as drivers juggled between maintaining pace and conserving energy.
The race’s dynamics were intensely competitive, with an early melee at Turn 1 reshaping the leaderboard. This incident saw race-ending damage for Sam Bird of NEOM McLaren and Nick Cassidy of Jaguar TCS Racing, while also affecting Pascal Wehrlein’s performance, relegating him to finish in 17th place.
Amidst the action, a key narrative involved Jake Hughes of NEOM McLaren, who faced a significant setback. Initially slated to start from fourth, Hughes was relegated to the back of the grid following a breach of technical regulations concerning an unarmed fire extinguisher during qualifying. Despite the setback, Hughes described the penalty as “disappointing but rogue.” His performance in the qualifiers had been notable, particularly as he was the first to break the 1m16s barrier during his Quarter Final shootout, showcasing his potential had it not been for the disqualification.
As the race neared its end, da Costa reclaimed the lead from Rowland with just three laps to go, maintaining it to the finish line. Oliver Rowland and Jake Dennis of Andretti, who made an impressive ascent from 17th, joined him on the podium, demonstrating remarkable resilience.
Photo credits: Porsche
This victory was a significant feat for da Costa, marking his second win from outside the top 10 while driving for Porsche, mirroring his previous success in Cape Town the preceding year. The result is indicative of his capacity to perform under pressure and highlights the unpredictable nature of Formula E racing.
Oliver Rowland’s consistent podium finishes have now propelled him to the top of the driver standings, setting the stage for a competitive race two in Misano. With the championship increasingly competitive, the strategies deployed in the upcoming races will be crucial.
This race not only celebrated da Costa’s victory but also highlighted the intense competition among drivers, with a record 544 overtakes. It reiterated the excitement inherent in Formula E, setting high expectations for the remainder of the season.
As Formula E continues in Misano, the focus shifts to how drivers adapt and strategise under pressure, particularly in a season as competitive as this one, promising more thrilling races and battles ahead.
