Felipe Drugovich issues apology after Antonio Felix da Costa Formula E wipeout

Antonio Félix da Costa has revealed that Felipe Drugovich issued an immediate apology after wiping him out of a wet Formula E Miami E-Prix.

Both drivers had been in contention for a podium until the end of lap 26, after Drugovich out-braked himself and launched into the back of da Costa.

The incident spun da Costa, who at least managed to quickly rejoin the race, albeit with damage. Drugovich required a new front wing, triggering an immediate pit stop.

Drugovich was entirely at fault and received a 10-second time penalty, as well as a single penalty point, putting him on four overall.

In the latest disappointing setback to da Costa’s start of life with Jaguar, he did at least salvage some points by finishing eighth.

Drugovich was seen apologising in the post-race media pen, with da Costa confirming that an apology was immediately issued by the Andretti driver.

Asked if he saw the incident coming, da Costa told RacingNews365: "I actually saw him coming. It was all so fast; he was so close up there.

"It’s impossible, either for him or for me, to avoid it. The only way to avoid it is for him to brake a little bit earlier, you know.

"So, you know, we’re racing hard and very close to each other, and this is part of racing. He apologised right away. So, I mean, that’s it. We close the chapter and we go on to the next one."

Drugovich's view of the accident

For Drugovich, the rookie had been enjoying his strongest Formula E weekend to date, with second place secured in what had been a dry qualifying session before rain fell.

The 2022 Formula 2 champion looked to be in with every chance of a first podium in the all-electric series before being caught out by da Costa’s braking point at Turn 13.

According to the Brazilian, he braked at the same point he had done all race and was left with no option but to go straight into the back of da Costa.

Discussing what happened in the incident, Drugovich told RacingNews365: "Honestly, not much. I out-braked Antonio. Honestly, it was kind of my normal braking point. 

"I wouldn't have gone straight, but, yeah, I just saw the car just closing, closing, closing. I thought he was going to go to the inside, obviously, because he was braking a bit earlier than me. 

"And so I tried to poke my nose on the inside, catch a bit and then go to the outside, but he just stayed on the outside. And then last moment, I just locked up. I tried to avoid him. So, yeah, it's frustrating. 

"It's not a massive thing or a massive mistake, but just turns out a massive consequence."