Da Costa Wins Breathless Madrid E-Prix | Formula E Report

Madrid, Spain – António Félix da Costa of Jaguar Racing delivered a masterful performance at the CUPRA RAVAL Madrid E-Prix on Saturday, securing victory in a thrilling race that saw a Jaguar one-two finish. The win marks back-to-back victories for da Costa and a significant step forward for Jaguar in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

The race, held at the Circuito de Madrid Jarama, drew a large crowd, including King Felipe VI, who witnessed an instant classic unfold. Da Costa crossed the finish line with less than a second separating the top four drivers, showcasing the intense competition within the Formula E series.

Starting from third on the grid, da Costa strategically timed his pit stop on Lap 12, allowing him to gain track position and capitalize on the ensuing ATTACK MODE activations. He skillfully navigated the jostling pack, utilizing both ATTACK MODE and PIT BOOST to challenge for the lead.

The final laps were a captivating sprint to the finish, with da Costa fending off a determined challenge from CUPRA KIRO’s Jaime Ticktum, who was racing on home soil. Ticktum executed a stunning move around Wehrlein on Lap 21, briefly taking second place, but da Costa expertly defended his position, placing his Jaguar precisely to maintain the lead.

da Costa’s strategic driving and defensive prowess secured him the victory, with teammate Nick Cassidy finishing a close second. Pascal Wehrlein of Porsche rounded out the podium in third, narrowly ahead of Ticktum, who delivered a strong performance for CUPRA KIRO.

The race wasn’t without its drama. Edoardo Mortara of Mahindra Racing finished fifth, demonstrating the team’s improving pace, while teammate Nyck de Vries’ race was compromised by a collision with Wehrlein, resulting in a penalty for de Vries. Sébastien Buemi (Envision Racing) finished sixth after a late surge, followed by Jake Dennis (Andretti) and Nico Müller (Porsche) in seventh and eighth, respectively.

A notable performance came from Pepe Martí, who led early in the race to the delight of the Spanish crowd, ultimately securing ninth place and valuable championship points. Joel Eriksson (Envision Racing) completed the top ten.

The results have reshuffled the championship standings. Pascal Wehrlein remains at the top of the Drivers’ table, holding an 11-point lead over Mortara. Da Costa’s victory has propelled him to fourth place, demonstrating his growing momentum this season.

In the Teams’ and Manufacturers’ championships, Jaguar is closing the gap on Porsche, trailing by just four points in the former and three in the latter. This strong performance in Madrid positions Jaguar as a serious contender for both titles.

The early stages of the race saw Cassidy lead from the start, with de Vries and da Costa close behind. Ticktum made an impressive start, climbing from ninth to fifth. However, Lap 3 brought an incident involving de Vries and Wehrlein, with de Vries clipping the rear of Wehrlein’s Porsche, causing damage to his front wing and resulting in a five-second penalty.

Ticktum briefly moved into second place before Wehrlein reclaimed the position. Drugovich became the first driver to utilize ATTACK MODE on Lap 5, gaining the lead temporarily. Martí then took the lead on Lap 10, energizing the home crowd, before the pit stop phase reshaped the race order.

The strategic deployment of ATTACK MODE and PIT BOOST proved crucial, with da Costa capitalizing on the opportunities to move into the lead. The final laps were a thrilling display of racing, with multiple overtakes and close battles for position.

The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship now heads to Berlin for Rounds 7 & 8 on May 2nd and 3rd, where the championship battle is sure to intensify. Da Costa’s recent success will undoubtedly make him a driver to watch as the season progresses.

Fans can follow the action live on the Formula E website and app, with real-time timing, interactive track maps, highlights, and exclusive interviews. The series also provides extensive coverage on its social media channels, offering behind-the-scenes insights and race updates.