Da Costa Triumphs in Jeddah for Maiden Jaguar Win
In a thrilling display of strategic racing, Antonio Felix da Costa of Jaguar TCS Racing secured his first victory with the team at the Jeddah E-Prix on Saturday. Starting from third on the grid, da Costa expertly utilized Attack Mode and the Pit Boost feature to navigate the Jeddah Corniche Circuit and claim the top spot, marking a significant turnaround after a winless Season 11.
Podium Finishers and Race Highlights
Envision Racing's Sebastien Buemi followed in second place, earning his first podium of the season, while Nissan's Oliver Rowland took third, securing his third podium finish this year. The race was part of the Jeddah doubleheader, with Round 5 delivering intense competition and notable performances.
Pole position for the second consecutive day went to Mahindra Racing's Edoardo Mortara, but he missed the podium by finishing fourth. This result came after he claimed second place in Friday's Round 4, moving him up to second in the Drivers' Standings with 62 points. He now trails leader Pascal Wehrlein, who holds 68 points after his Friday victory, by just six points.
Additional Race Results and Standings
Further down the order, Cupra Kiro driver Dan Ticktum finished fifth, with teammate Pepe Marti in sixth. Marti also recorded the fastest lap of Round 5 at 1:17.508. Mitch Evans, who celebrated a podium finish in Round 4, ended up seventh in this race, followed by Pascal Wehrlein in eighth.
DS Penske's Jean-Eric Vergne and Taylor Barnard rounded out the top ten, finishing ninth and tenth respectively. The event also featured social media influencers in the garages, gearing up for the special Formula E Evo Session on Sunday, including comedian Khaby Lame spotted in the Nissan garage.
Penalties and Team Dynamics
While Mortara excelled in qualifying, his teammate Nyck de Vries faced challenges with multiple penalties for changing car parts overnight. De Vries will have to serve a 10-second stop-and-go penalty in the pit lane, adding to the team's strategic considerations for future races.
This victory for da Costa not only highlights his skill and adaptability but also underscores Jaguar TCS Racing's competitive edge in the Formula E championship. As the season progresses, fans can expect more exciting battles on the track, with drivers like Mortara and Wehrlein closely contending for the top spot in the standings.
