Da Costa 'back' in title contention and silences rumours

Antonio Felix da Costa believes that "maybe" he has silenced his doubters after winning the inaugural Misano E-Prix, and thinks his emphatic performance has put him "back" in title contention.

Ahead of travelling to Misano, it was reported by The Race that Nico Müller had tested for Porsche, fuelling speculation that Porsche are growing frustrated with da Costa.

Da Costa has conceded himself that he started Season 10 badly, but has now finished in the points in the past three races. Despite starting in P14, the Porsche driver mastered the extreme peloton, to overtake Oliver Rowland for the lead on the penultimate lap.

He held the position and crossed the finish line victorious, completing his bounce back to form.

"Maybe, I don't know," da Costa told RacingNews365, when asked if he's silenced his doubters. "I just want to do the best for myself and for the team. I try to win all of them and, obviously, in life you go through bad moments and good moments with everything you do.

"We've had a tough start to the season and I've been here before, and I said heading into Sao Paulo that it's not the time to go out there and try and win a race now, we need to start building the momentum slowly and I think we've executed that idea or plan perfectly.

"Strong race in Sao Paulo, strong race in Tokyo and a victory here, so now we think, obviously, it's much thinner air going going into the rest of the season, but I think it puts us a little bit back in that championship fight hopefully and lifts the spirits up for sure."

What has changed?

After failing to score a point in the first three races, da Costa has finished sixth, fourth and now first in the past three events.

His race pace has been tremendous and has made up for his continued difficulties in qualifying, something he puts down to several changes both to his car and himself.

"We've changed a few things in the car and then how we operate and then myself as well," da Costa added.

"I think it's a combination of many small things technical, non-technical, myself, my driving and it's going better now."