Formula E Champion Antonio Felix Da Costa is set to have his maiden IndyCar test with two-time Indy 500 winners Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing at Barber Motorsports Park next month.
Da Costa, who comfortably claimed the 2019/20 Formula E title for Techeetah, is poised to sample the car at the Alabama venue on November 2.
RLL claimed victory at Barber upon IndyCar’s most recent visit in 2019, courtesy of Takuma Sato, with the 2020 round having been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Da Costa was on the brink of a Formula 1 seat for 2014, before long-time backers Red Bull promoted Daniil Kvyat, and has since competed in DTM, GT competitions and Formula E.
“I have never hidden the fact that it’s a big dream of mine to come try out an IndyCar,” said Da Costa.
“I am a big fan of how America, and IndyCar in particular, goes about the sport and have been a huge fan for many years.
“I have known Bobby [Rahal] for a few years. We always met at the BMW Christmas dinners and every year I kept saying ‘Come on, let me have a go’ and finally now I got the call to come meet the team and test.
“It’s very exciting times for me and something I have been looking forward to a lot. The first contact with the team has been very positive and everyone has been friendly.
“I can see there is a high level of professionalism in the team which was to be expected. I’m excited to get on track.”
Rahal runs a BMW-linked IMSA GT team and Da Costa previously competed for the marque in the World Endurance Championship and Formula E.
“We were unable to maximise a full team test using one of our three days since Graham [Rahal] is waiting for the arrival of his first child so this enables us to test a young and very accomplished driver in Antonio,” added Rahal.
“Through our partnership with BMW on the sports car side, we have followed his career and are excited to see what he can do in an IndyCar.”
“We have heard a lot of great things about this young man’s talent and look forward to good results from our test at Barber Motorsports Park.”
Da Costa’s maiden test will take place a week after IndyCar’s season finale, which is set to take place at St. Petersburg, Florida, on October 25.
