Portugual-born 29-year-old Antonio Felix da Costa is presently the reigning champion of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. Antonio has been with the open-wheeled electrical racing league since its inaugural season in 2014.

Whereas we wait in anticipation of the 2020-21 season starting subsequent month, and on the heels of Antonio and electric scooter-manufacturer NIU asserting a brand new partnership, we received an opportunity to listen to a bit extra straight from Antonio.

Antonio has fairly the eclectic racing profession that has spanned karting, Method Renault, DTM, Method Three and finally Method E.

As Antonio defined, he has adopted his racing ardour for many of life:

“It has been an extended journey with ups and downs. I’m fortunate to have a powerful group of individuals behind me which by no means let me stroll alone. In 2014 I had my F1 seat signed and it was arduous to lose from one second to a different. I needed to get my head up and I saved working arduous to get to the place I’m now. It was by no means simple however that is what makes the game so fascinating. By no means surrender!

I think about myself actually fortunate to have pushed virtually each racing automotive on the planet in my profession. I actually respect the crew work and spirit on this sport and I at all times attempt to make one of the best of all the things. I take pleasure in on daily basis at work and for me I do it for the love of it greater than something.”

After six grueling seasons of racing in Method E, Antonio was topped champion of the 2019-20 season, racing for crew DS Techeetah.

Discussing a number of the sacrifices it took to achieve that stage, Antonio expanded:

I at all times labored arduous to achieve this title and the final couple of years weren’t simple. I needed to sacrifice loads in some areas to get to a place of being in a prime crew. Typically it was not simple to be combating for the final positions of the grid however I knew that if I did an excellent job my alternative would come.

It was very emotional for me to win the title and likewise excellent to share with my crew and all of the Portuguese followers this superb achievement.

The 2019-20 season was significantly tough because of the impact of lockdowns associated to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Antonio defined how the Berlin race particularly was one of many key moments that helped result in victory:

“I feel all races had been very aggressive and all my wins had been equally as totally different, however for certain Berlin was key to get the title. After 5 months in full lockdown I did all the things that I may to prepare for the ultimate battle. I knew that the primary few races in Berlin had been essential.”

All through the interview, it was simple to see how a lot delight Antonio took not solely in his personal victory, but additionally in Method E as nicely.

The sequence represents the way forward for electrical racing, one thing Antonio may be very clear about.

“The truth that we’re racing within the coronary heart of essentially the most iconic cities of the world is superb. Additionally the truth that we race in 0 air pollution is certainly one thing particular to know that we’re a part of this new period and we’re producing a greater world for the long run generations. In a few years folks will watch Method E and can bear in mind my identify as one of many ambassadors of this new electrical championship.”

Antonio additionally defined how he loved the fascinating new connection and interplay that Method E has created with its followers.

The FanBoost characteristic that grants well-liked drivers an extra power enhance has proved controversial, even with Electrek’s own Jameson Dow.

However Antonio is actually a fan of FanBoost after benefiting from it closely final season.

As he defined:

“Fanboost is principally a contest the place folks can participate and vote for his or her favourite driver. Ultimately the highest 5 most voted drivers can be awarded an additional enhance through the race. This makes a large interplay between the followers and the drivers and it was very particular to win the FanBoost in each single race final season.”

When Antonio isn’t racing round tight, twisty tracks at 200 km/h (125 mph), he will be discovered having fun with life at a slower tempo.

Browsing in his hometown of Cascais, Portugal and spending time together with his household is a vital a part of sustaining his psychological and emotional steadiness. He spends time doing each as a strategy to mentally recharge earlier than races.

And in relation to private transportation, you won’t be stunned to listen to that the reigning electrical racing champion additionally makes use of an electrical automobile at residence. However what could be extra shocking is simply which automobile: a NIU NGT electrical scooter.

Antonio defined how he got here into the brand new partnership with NIU:

“Once I first took my driving license I used to be fairly aggressive on the street however I spotted that’s not the way in which to go after a couple of months. I’m actually only a regular driver on the street attempting to respect folks and at all times put security as my #1 rule.

Being a NIU proprietor now and driving a wise electrical scooter by becoming a member of the #niucrew is the easiest way to kick off this 2021 yr. I can now drive to the seaside on my NIU and likewise drive round Cascais on my new scooter.

The very best a part of it’s that I’m doing one thing that I really like in my metropolis and on the similar time doing my half to show the world into a greater place. I’m actually enthusiastic about launching a partnership with NIU particularly as a result of me and NIU share precisely the identical concepts and mentality.”

As an proprietor of the identical electrical scooter (seen beneath), I agree with Antonio about how good it’s to ride my NIU to the beach and around my city.

Antonio completed off the interview with a dialogue of how the Method E racing sequence may influence the way forward for city mobility, and what he sees for his personal future in Method E.

“I feel we’re positively taking an vital function on the way forward for city mobility and the truth that we race in metropolis facilities is clearly giving folks the proper instance on that. I additionally really feel that plenty of facets that we develop on our Method E automotive are used on the DS street automobiles and that is giving me plenty of pleasure to see how briskly electrical mobility is rising in the previous few years.

I can’t wait to kick off the brand new season. I need to defend my title and battle for an additional one. I’m certain it gained’t be simple because the competitors is at all times very sturdy however we’ll work arduous to get it. To my followers I can promise full dedication and dedication to battle for the world title and I hope I can depend with their fixed help to battle for it.”

We want Antonio success within the 2020-21 season, which kicks off February twenty sixth on the Riyadh Road Circuit. Boa sorte!

Be sure to tune on this season and see if Antonio can turn into the second ever back-to-back Method E champion.

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