Porsche's winning streak continued at the Cape Town Formula E debut: António Félix da Costa won his first race in the Porsche 99X Electric in the Cape Town E-Prix in the South African capital. With this triumph, the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team widens its margin in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship team standings. Despite retiring early, Pascal Wehrlein still holds the first spot in the drivers' standings.
Race 5
The most thrilling race of the season was presented to spectators in Cape Town's first round of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. The 2.927-kilometer circuit's spectacular wheel-to-wheel battles and overtaking maneuvers in the picturesque backdrop between Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean brilliantly illustrated the appeal of totally electric motorsports. After five rounds of the season, this was the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team's third triumph. Pascal Wehrlein, the champion of both races at Diriyah despite his early retirement, remains in first place among drivers in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship with 80 points. António Félix da Costa has climbed the ranks to fourth place with 46 points thanks to his maiden victory with Porsche. With 126 points, the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team widens its margin of victory. After André Lotterer (GER) placed ninth and Jake Dennis (GBR) placed thirteenth, the Porsche customer team Avalanche Andretti is in third place.
António Félix da Costa had one of the best races of his Formula E career on the gorgeous city track with his push from P11 to first position. He instantly started moving up the order behind the wheel of his Porsche 99X Electric and plowed through the competition, especially in the second half of the race. After 21 of the 32 laps, he was in third place, and on lap 24, he made a daring overtaking effort to take the lead. He turned on his attack mode after getting away from his pursuers but had to make another attempt and lost his lead. The Portuguese driver didn't give up, though, and on the penultimate lap, he pulled off another stunning overtaking maneuver to claim the well-earned victory. His colleague, Pascal Wehrlein, was eliminated from the race after a collision in the opening lap.
Comments on the Cape Town E-Prix, Race 5
Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President Porsche Motorsport: “That was an incredible race with a fantastic result for Porsche. I’m thrilled that António has won his first race as a Porsche works driver and scored crucial points for the team. It’s a shame about Pascal. His qualifying performance was very strong but he made a mistake in the race. Still, mistakes happen. All the better if your teammate can step up. We have two drivers who can win races. I’m proud of the whole team. That was our third win of the season. Now we have to stay focused.”
Florian Modlinger, Director Factory Motorsport Formula E: “The Formula E debut in Cape Town was a great event. Fantastic circuit, great racing, avid fans and victory for António – this was the best advertising for Formula E. I’m delighted for António. He made a minor error in qualifying but made up for it with a sensational race. On the flip side, I’m very sorry for Pascal. But we’re a team. We win together and we lose together. He’ll be back at the next races to show what he’s capable of. Now, for the first time this season, we have a four-week break. The team will use this time to recharge our batteries. And then we’ll be back at full revs in Sao Paulo.”
António Félix da Costa, Porsche works driver (#13): “I still can’t believe it. What a race! Clinching my first win for Porsche here in Cape Town after starting from P11 is simply fantastic. It actually felt like an endurance race with so much happening. Our strategy worked perfectly and I tried to keep my cool over the whole distance but when I crossed the finish line, I got a bit tearful. I want to thank everyone in the team for their terrific support and trust. It spurred me on and made this achievement possible.” Pascal Wehrlein, Porsche works driver (#94): “That was a disappointing race for me. After qualifying well, I could have achieved a lot today. That was obviously my fault. I braked a little too late and a little too hard, the wheels locked up and I couldn’t avoid the collision. Mistakes happen. I’m now looking ahead. It was a great day for Porsche. The team and I are very pleased about António’s win.”