Da Costa: Rome TV cameras missed "best overtakes of my life"
Defending Formula E champion Antonio Felix da Costa reckons he completed “the best overtakes of my life” during the Rome E-Prix but they were missed by the TV feed.
After qualifying 18th for race one aboard the new DS Techeetah E-Tense FE21, introduced for the first double-header after the revised April 5 homologation window, da Costa climbed eight places up to 10th but retired on lap 20 with a puncture.
On Sunday, wet-dry qualifying conditions for the group one shootout meant da Costa qualified down in 15th but he bagged six points for progressing to seventh at the flag.
This was aided by an inside move on Sebastien Buemi while using attack mode before passing the sister Nissan e.dams car of Oliver Rowland over the start line using fanboost.
Da Costa heralded these as “the best overtakes of my life”, telling Motorsport.com: "I have an onboard [camera] so somebody should dig them out.
"Between Saturday and Sunday I did the best overtakes of my life, some of them slightly over the edge. I had so much fun, two races really coming from the back.
"It was a shame with a puncture [but] we managed to capitalise on it and bring some points back home."
Da Costa reckoned two-time teams’ champion DS Techeetah had already identified several areas to develop the E-Tense FE21 in time for the Valencia double-header across 24-25 April.
He said: "There's still a few things we could have done better on the background to make my life a little bit easier in the car.
"This is the good thing about this team, everyone is so open minded and so relaxed when it comes to improving.
"We already know four, five, six areas that we know what things to do better next time.
"It's just one of those weekends where nothing came my way, I really had to scrape hard to get something out of this weekend."
When da Costa was asked to pick out the main differences between last season’s car, in which he won three races to dominate the title race, and the new E-Tense FE 21, he said: "It's little quieter actually on the powertrain side.
"There are some improvements in terms of driveability and tools that we have to set-up the car as well regarding the powertrain.
"I am expecting some tracks to help us more than others. For sure, it's a step forward from last year.
"The good thing is that I know we have a competitive car, it's a winner. It's a matter of time until we until we get back up there."
Related video
How Vergne and Vandoorne found redemption in Rome
Formula E to race on adapted version of Monaco F1 layout
Why de Vries' FP1 outing could add a new path to his current crossroads
A Formula 2 and Formula E champion, Nyck de Vries is currently considering where his future in motorsport lies. Continuing in WEC and Formula E is possible and he's also courted glances Stateside after impressing in an IndyCar test. But ahead of his Formula 1 FP1 debut with Williams, he could have another option if he impresses...
How Jake Dennis’ struggles turned him into a Formula E frontrunner
Having emerged as one of Formula E’s strongest drivers in his one-and-a-half seasons in the championship, Jake Dennis cemented his place in the series with a breakout maiden season. But it's not always been smooth sailing for the Briton
How Vandoorne recaptured Mercedes' winning feeling in Monaco
The Mercedes Formula 1 team is struggling, but its Formula E arm is in fine form at the moment and once again leads the drivers' standings courtesy of Stoffel Vandoorne. Here's how the Belgian took a well-judged Monaco victory to emerge at the head of the brewing four-way championship tussle
Will lighter, greener, faster Gen3 deliver on Formula E's many promises?
With a fighter-jet inspired design, revamped technical specifications and a new tyre supplier, Formula E's Gen3 car is set to shake up the series. But can it deliver on all of the promises that Formula E has set out to ensure that manufacturers consider the outlay on going racing in an all-electric arena worthwhile?
Why Nissan's e.dams buyout signifies its Formula E victory intent
The e.dams Formula E squad is one of the most storied in the championship's short history as its original benchmark, but its successes in the Gen2 era have been fleeting by comparison. Nissan's decision to take full control ahead of Gen3 marks a statement of intent that it intends to get back to winning ways
How Evans came, saw and conquered Formula E in Rome
Mitch Evans and Jaguar dominated the Rome E-Prix weekend, winning both races to bring alive a season in which he'd scored just one point from the previous three weekends. Supreme overtaking and strategy proved key in bringing the Kiwi back into title contention on a weekend that he was, his rivals conceded, “in a different league”
How NIO 333's new home is helping it prepare for Formula E's Gen3 era
Under a former guise, the NIO 333 Formula E squad took victory in the championship's inaugural season, but a difficult recent history has resigned the team to the back of the field. Now with a new base and the much-vaunted Gen3 regulations incoming, the Chinese team is looking reinvigorated.
Why Porsche's Formula E breakthrough points to a flawed narrative
A crushing 1-2 in Mexico meant Porsche broke its Formula E duck in fine style to underline its status as a credible title contender. But while its success has taken longer to arrive relative to Mercedes, there are several reasons why their situations aren't directly comparable and, crucially, it appears to be an equal now the series has moved away from its loathed qualifying format