Da Costa wins his third E-Prix in a row in Portland, Frijns takes P2
Formula E Media
General
- Nicole Mulder
Antonio Felix da Costa jumped into the top five of the Formula E World Championship standings after his victory at the Portland E-Prix. The Portuguese driver took both race wins in the USA. Dutchman Robin Frijns came in P2, while Jaguar driver Mitch Evans rounded out the final podium spot.
Da Costa makes it three wins on the spin
Da Costa, who was gifted victory in the first E-Prix in Portland after a penalty for Evans and a spin by championship leader Nick Cassidy, grabbed the lead on lap 21. The Porsche driver then drove to his second win of the weekend, despite pressure from Frijns in the closing stages of the race.
Da Costa sustained damage to his front wing earlier in the race after contact with Edoardo Mortara, who suffered a puncture. Due to debris on the track, the safety car was briefly deployed, after which Frijns took the lead, followed by Da Costa and Pascal Wehrlein. However, he lost the lead to Da Costa.
Evans deployed his second attack mode, which caused him to fall back but eventually managed to outsmart Wehrlein and Frijns. When his extra power was exhausted, Frijns took back second place. Evans therefore had to settle for third place, while Da Costa won his second race of the weekend. For Frijns, it was his second P2 finish of the weekend.
Championship leader Cassidy leaves Portland without having scored any points and sees his gap at the top of the championship standings become smaller, with teammate Evans sitting just 12 points off after a P19 and P13 in Portland.
This article was written in collaboration with Olly Darcy