Formula E: Félix da Costa Salvages 4 Points After Miami Collision, Title Hope Lives On

Portugal’s Formula E star António Félix da Costa has seen his first points of the season reduced to a modest eighth-place finish after being rear-ended in Miami, a mishap that keeps him far from the title hunt but still leaves hope alive for the European stretch.

Why This Matters

• Four hard-earned points finally put Félix da Costa on the 2025-26 scoreboard, climbing to 14th overall.

• Brazilian rival Felipe Drugovich accepted blame and collected a 10-second penalty—valuable precedent for future stewarding decisions.

• Jaguar TCS Racing salvaged the weekend with a win for Mitch Evans, underscoring the car’s raw pace ahead of the Rome e-Prix in March.

• Portuguese viewers can stream every race live on Sport TV or the official Formula E app—subscriptions now include enhanced onboard feeds.

The Race in a Flash

The Miami e-Prix—the third round of the all-electric world championship—unfolded on a damp 2.32-km layout wrapped around the Hard Rock Stadium. Félix da Costa launched from P3, grabbed the lead during the early energy-saving phase, and settled into a comfortable third place as the laps wound down. Three tours from the chequered flag, Andretti’s Felipe Drugovich braked too late into Turn 13, tagging the rear of the Portuguese driver’s Jaguar and spinning him around.

While Evans sprinted to victory, Félix da Costa limped home in eighth, his rear diffuser bent and his championship ambitions dented for a third consecutive weekend.

The Crash: What Actually Happened

Drugovich thought Félix da Costa would defend the inside line; instead, the Jaguar stayed wide. As the Brazilian slammed the brakes on the wet kerb, he locked the front tyres and became a passenger. The impact cost both men potential podiums.

Race control reacted swiftly, handing Drugovich a 10-second time penalty and one licence point—bringing his season total to 4. For context, a driver hits a one-race ban at 12 points under FIA rules, so repeat offenses now come at a steeper personal risk.

Championship Picture After Miami

• Drivers’ standings: Evans leads with 58 pts, followed by Jean-Éric Vergne on 47 pts. Félix da Costa’s 4 pts slot him into 14th, ahead of countryman Eduardo Mortara (3 pts).• Teams’ standings: Jaguar TCS Racing tops at 86 pts, while Porsche trails on 70 pts. This matters for Portuguese sponsors such as Galp Solar and NOS, who leverage TV exposure tied to a team’s ranking.

In short, the Algarve native is no longer in immediate title conversation, but a mid-season surge could still deliver a top-5 finish—and crucially, retain his Jaguar seat beyond 2026.

Why Jaguars Are Suddenly the Team to Watch

Jaguar’s I-Type 7 powertrain has shown stellar efficiency—Evans’s win and Félix da Costa’s early pace prove it. Engineers credit a lighter inverter and a revised rear suspension that preserves tyre temperature on street circuits. The takeaway: should Félix da Costa string together clean weekends, podium finishes are there for the taking.

What This Means for Residents

Portuguese motorsport fans—and the businesses that cater to them—have several practical angles to consider:

Subscription value: Sport TV’s €14.99 monthly pack now bundles Formula E, WRC, and MotoE. If you cancelled after last season, the new multi-series package may be worth revisiting.

Travel deals: TAP is running a 15 % discount on flights to Rome and Berlin around race weekends; Lisbon-Rome round-trips start at €105 if booked before 20 Feb.

Sponsorship exposure: SMEs eyeing international branding can still find entry-level rates with Tier-2 teams such as Ertix Cupra—reported to be under €250 k for season-long side-pod decals.

Green tech tie-ins: The government’s €3 000 e-mobility rebate for home chargers references Formula E in its promotional material. Expect a marketing push during the Rome broadcast.

Looking Ahead

The paddock packs up for Rome (21 Mar), a circuit where Félix da Costa historically excels—he scored a win there in 2020 and a podium in 2024. With zero grid penalties hanging over him and fresh software updates coming from Jaguar’s Coventry HQ, the Lisbon native has a realistic shot at redemption.

For now, the Miami mishap serves as a reminder that a split-second mis-judgment can rewrite a weekend. Portuguese fans might be frustrated, but the season is long—and the car is quick.