After months of speculation, Porsche has finally confirmed the departure of Antonio Felix da Costa.
In one of Formula E's most remarkable sagas, da Costa has finally made the decision to depart the German manufacturer after three seasons.
Much of the Formula E driver market has been on hold while the Portuguese driver decided whether he wanted to continue with Porsche into Season 12 (2025/26) or move elsewhere.
With da Costa's exit now confirmed almost two months after the conclusion of last season, the final pieces of the driver market puzzle can finally be filled.
Da Costa is expected to complete a move to Jaguar to partner Mitch Evans, with Nick Cassidy have left the Big Cat to join Citroen.
Andretti's Nico Müller is likely to replace da Costa given his Porsche works status, and partner Pascal Wehrlein.
That leaves a spot at Andretti alongside Jake Dennis, and a seat at Cupra Kiro next to Dan Ticktum. According to The Race, Aston Martin F1 reserve Felipe Drugovich is set to partner Dennis.
Da Costa's exit – in effect from September 20 – allows both himself and Porsche to finally move on, following a mixed three seasons together.
"I’m happy that it happened instead of being sad that it ends," said da Costa. "I raced for one of the most prestigious brands in the world – that’s an honour for me, and I’m proud that this will forever be a part of my career.
"I’ve been part of the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team for its three most successful years, and I want to thank every single person that I got to work with during this time.
"This includes the management with Thomas and Florian, as well as the board. A special thank you goes out to my mechanics and my engineers, who accompanied me on this road. Obrigado!"
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Da Costa's Porsche rollercoaster
In his three campaigns for Porsche after moving from DS Techeetah, da Costa experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.
Da Costa's first season with Porsche was a largely underwhelming one, although a stand out moment was his victory in Cape Town after a staggering final lap overtake on Jean-Eric Vergne.
It put immediate pressure on the Season 6 champion heading into the 2023/24 campaign (Season 10), particularly as Wehrlein had cemented his place as a regular title contender.
Season 10 started poorly for da Costa, resulting in Porsche handing Müller a surprise test. As a result, speculation quickly mounted that an exit was on the horizon.
A stunning victory in Misano for a moment appeared to fix everything, only for him to be disqualified for a controversial technical infraction several hours after heroic celebrations.
Despite the mountain of setbacks, he found the form of his life to go on a run of four wins in five races, but faced too significant a hurdle for a late title push – Wehrlein claimed the drivers' title.
Nevertheless, it gave him a major platform for the most the recent season, having convinced Porsche to keep him. While he started Season 11 with back-to-back podiums, da Costa failed to claim a win. It was a consistent campaign, one which supported Porsche's charge to the teams' and manufacturers' titles.
Ultimately, da Costa has decided the time is right to move on, with a new challenge awaiting at Jaguar.
"In three very intense years with us, António proved his class – with five victories in the Porsche 99X Electric," said Porsche team principal, Florian Modlinger.
"He impressed everyone in the team above all with his racecraft, how he could read the race and work his way forward. I thank António for his achievements, but also for his direct and transparent approach, as well as the appreciation he showed to every single person in the team.
"My thanks also go to his mechanics and engineers; they worked extremely hard to help him regain his qualifying strength. Only then were we able to become Teams’ and Manufacturers’ World Champions in July. We wish António all the best."
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