António Félix da Costa chats about all issues racing, his hobbies and divulges his first impressions of the Cape Town as a brand new race circuit and a vacationer vacation spot forward of at the moment’s Formula E race within the Mother City.
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What are the strengths of this Porsche 99X Electric Gen3?
The energy is certainly the race effectivity. The energy prepare allows us to achieve loads of positions through the race. But we’re nonetheless massive believers we are able to make this automobile quick in a single lap qualifying, so are working onerous to make it an all-rounder.
Your strengths as a driver and as a contributor to the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team?
I’ve a mixed 20 plus years in motorsport which incorporates 9 years in Formula E, winning a championship and some races. So I attempt to use that have to information the workforce in the fitting route.
What are the primary points of interest as a driver in Formula E?
We make races occur the place no person else can. We race principally in metropolis centres, so we deliver the races to the folks. We are additionally sustainable, so there’s a massive message behind the sequence not only a motor sport race. Brands use this championships to develop their energy trains and their expertise. So we’re pushing the world ahead when it comes to electrical mobility.
How a lot enter do you present when it comes to establishing the automobile?
There is loads of tech in Formula E, together with the info, the telemetry. But as a driver you may generally disguise or disguise what the automobile is doing by driving round an issue, so the engineers at all times need the driver’s suggestions.
Tell us about Formula E and its distinctive 1v1 qualifying?
The duels in qualifying had been applied final yr. An superb idea with 1-on-1 racing figuring out the grid for the beginning of the race. The followers prefer it and we as drivers actually take pleasure in it. It is an enormous problem to get out of the field and nail that one quick lap. But tremendous enjoyable.
In qualifying would you like the workforce to maintain you up to date on the opposite driver?
In the duels even when the opposite driver makes a mistake you don’t need to know. You simply give attention to doing all of your finest lap doable.
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The Cape Town E-Prix is making its Formula E debut, inform us what it’s prefer to race a brand new circuit?
Racing a brand new monitor is at all times so thrilling. We have the monitor loaded into the simulator so we had three days within the sim to get to know the format of the monitor. But it’s onerous to race a brand new circuit as we do not know what the tarmac is like, bumpy or not. It’s not like Rome or Berlin the place we have now been racing for just a few years now and know precisely what the automobile must be fast there.
Tell us about your PUMA racing package?
PUMA might be one of the best available in the market. Both for the standard and for his or her flexibility relating to the distinctive wants of the athlete. The flexibility of the model and their personnel have across the athlete is an enormous plus, when you want one thing modified, a unique sort of glove, a unique sort of boot, stretch supplies added right here and there. We had been capable of absolutely configure this swimsuit to our liking when it comes to becoming and that may be a massive assist for us.
What sparked your want to develop into a racing driver?
I used to be very fortunate as a result of I used to be born into it. When I used to be 2-years-old, two of my older brothers had been racing go-karts in Portugal. One day my eldest brother took me out and I’ve by no means stopped. Becoming an athlete, going by wins and losses, offers you with the chance to develop completely different strengths and capabilities. I really like racing and may’t think about not being a sports activities particular person.
Who has higher soccer expertise – you or Pascal and who’s the higher surfer?
Football it will likely be shut, possibly I’ll give it to him. Surfing, I feel I’ve bought him lined. Can he even swim? Ha! Ha!
FORMULA A RACE DRIVER António Félix da Costa BEFORE THE CAPE TOWN E-PRIX
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