Formula EIndyCar

Formula E champion da Costa given IndyCar test by Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing

Motorsport Technology
15 Oct 2020
3 min read

Formula E champion Antonio Felix da Costa will drive an IndyCar for the first time at Barber Motorsports Park on November 2 after Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing invited the Portuguese for a test outing.

Da Costa, who was crowned ABB Formula E champion with DS TECHEETAH for the first time in 2019/20 after the truncated season, has made no secret of his passion for IndyCar and his desire to drive one of the cars.

“I have never hidden the fact that it’s a big dream of mine to come try out an Indycar,” da Costa is quoted on the official Rahal Letterman Lanigan website. “I am a big fan of how America, and IndyCar in particular, goes about the sport and have been a huge fan for many years.”

The Portuguese has also known team owner Bobby Rahal through shared connections to the BMW marque, having raced for the Andretti-run FE squad and World Endurance Championship programme.

“I have known Bobby for a few years,” added da Costa, who has already had his seat fitting. “We always met at the BMW Christmas dinners and every year I kept saying ‘Come on, let me have a go’ and finally now I got the call to come meet the team and test. It’s very exciting times for me and something I have been looking forward to a lot.

“The first contact with the team has been very positive and everyone has been friendly. I can see there is a high level of professionalism in the team which was to be expected. I’m excited to get on track.”

IndyCar team owner Rahal, who also owns the RLL BMW squad that competes in the IMSA SportsCar championship GTLM class, added that the chance opportunity arose because of the imminent birth of his own grandchild, putting regular team driver and son Graham out of the frame.

“We were unable to maximize a full team test using one of our three days, since Graham is waiting for the arrival of his first child so this enables us to test a young and very accomplished driver in Antonio Felix da Costa,” said Rahal. “Through our partnership with BMW on the sportscar side, we have followed his career and are excited to see what he can do in an IndyCar.”

Fellow team co-owner Mike Lanigan added: “We have heard a lot of great things about this young man’s talent and look forward to good results from our test at Barber Motorsports Park.

“It always adds value to get another perspective and we are confident he can provide good insight.”

 

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