Antonio Felix da Costa has told Motorsport Week that the chances of him remaining with Tag Heuer Porsche Formula E team next season are currently at “50/50.”
Da Costa has endured an unfortunate campaign, having been unable to achieve a single victory, finishing fifth in Drivers’ Championship.
But it has been a consistent showing across the campaign, managing to achieve points finishes in all but three of the 16 rounds contested.
His consistency helped Porsche win both the Teams’ and Manufacturers’ Championships, telling Motorsport Week it was “massive” to play a part in the double success, saying that it was something to be “happy with.”
His London E-Prix got off to a bad start with 14th in Race 1, and a driveshaft problem in qualifying saw him start last for Race 2.
But a storming drive through the field saw da Costa finish sixth, a result that certainly left him smiling after the race.
“Starting last today, finishing sixth, it’s a solid race, solid drive, solid strategy from everybody,” he said. “And securing the two world titles at the end.
“It’s just a cherry on top of the cake for everybody at the team.”
But speculation indicates that all has not been harmonious within the team, with rumours that he has suffered a fractured relationship with team-mate Pascal Wehrlein.
Da Costa appeared to corroborate this, being quoted by DAZN Portugal as saying: “There has been a tense atmosphere here in the box between Pascal and me.
“I thought it could eventually be resolved, but unfortunately that was not the case.”
Da Costa: ‘I will definitely be in Formula E next year’
Da Costa told Motorsport Week at the Berlin E-Prix that he would be remaining in FE next season, despite the uncertainty of his seat with Porsche.
When speculation gathered last season that the German marque had tested Nico Mueller with a view to replacing da Costa, he told Motorsport Week that his dream was to win another FE championship with the team.
When asked if he still holds that dream, and what his chances are for staying with the team next season, da Costa sat on the fence.
“I mean, that dream will always be there to be achieved,” he said. “You know, winning with such an iconic brand is a dream for anybody. Let’s see what the future holds.
“I would say 50-50. But yeah, whatever happens in the future, whoever I represent, I just want to be good, be fast and try and win championships.”
Motorsport Week understands that a potentially crucial factor in da Costa’s whereabouts next season is if he will be allowed to compete in endurance racing again, something the 33-year-old would prefer.
Speculation has pointed towards an offer to replace Nick Cassidy at Jaguar TCS Racing, but so far, nothing is confirmed, aside from the assertion that he will be on the grid for Round 1 in Sao Paulo on December 6.
“Yeah, luckily I can’t complain and there’s options on the table,” da Costa said. “So, yeah, I will definitely be in Formula E next year.”
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