Jaguar’s da Costa Move Ignites Formula E’s Fiercest Rivalry

Antonio Felix da Costa joins Jaguar to partner Mitch Evans from the upcoming season, replacing Nick Cassidy, in a deal expected to run into Formula E’s Gen4 era.

He is set for a public debut at the Valencia pre-season test in late October, having already sampled Jaguar hardware during a low-power run at Abingdon Airfield in Oxfordshire.

The Evans–da Costa pairing carries 26 E-Prix wins, the most of any current line-up, underlining Jaguar’s strategic intent after a stuttering start to the year.

The move follows a complicated separation from Porsche, where da Costa’s final seasons prove increasingly strained, and it inevitably sharpens the competitive edge of the Porsche–Jaguar rivalry.

Cassidy’s exit path emerges around April’s Homestead event, tied to a deeper Stellantis role, with an expected switch to the new Citroen Racing entry later this month.

Jaguar’s early form lags. After Tokyo in mid-May, it sits eighth in the standings, 99 points behind Porsche, raising legitimate questions about short-term competitiveness.

Despite that backdrop, da Costa seeks a reset, prioritising enjoyment and trust after a difficult spell, while Porsche retains a contractual option for 2025–26 that forces Jaguar into patience.

Contingencies sit ready. Jaguar monitors alternatives including Jake Dennis, explores Stoffel Vandoorne, and keeps Jake Hughes available, but those pathways remain unused as negotiations progress.

By late May, da Costa commits to Jaguar, narrowing focus to the exit mechanics with Porsche. The final agreement arrives by late July after protracted, delicate talks.

A key selling point is culture. Jaguar applies an open, low-pressure approach, allowing reflection rather than urgency, which resonates with da Costa’s priorities.

He states the team welcomes insights from his Porsche experience. Some ideas transfer, others do not, but any marginal gain that strengthens Jaguar and weakens a rival is valuable.

Rivalries hinge on knowledge flows and human factors. Direct staff switches between Porsche and Jaguar are absent, but a leading driver crossing the divide intensifies competitive scrutiny.

Such dynamics echo other disciplines across the types of motorsports landscape, where competitive intelligence and culture often decide fine margins.

Da Costa also sets expectations for relationships. He values honesty, direct feedback, and respect, summarised by a simple request for transparent communication.

His long-standing rapport with Evans dates to GP3 in 2011, when both fought for the title. Mutual respect underpins a partnership built to push without fracturing.

The sporting objective is unambiguous: contend for wins immediately and reach the championship fight by season’s end.

Comparisons with other elite championships are instructive for fans assessing competitive structures, from energy management to manufacturer politics, alongside resources like F1 vs NASCAR.

Jaguar now holds a proven, motivated line-up. Whether that translates into immediate execution hinges on integrating da Costa’s input and converting potential into points against Porsche.

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