This season’s Cape Town race winner had a slow start to his Porsche campaign but is ready to give it full attack at the special event held at the iconic Tempelhof Airport Street Circuit. Describing his GEN3 journey since the season opener in Mexico, da Costa labels the new generation of race car as being a bit of a rollercoaster.
“So many new things for me this year,” the Season 6 champ said. “Obviously, a new car for everyone down the pit lane with the new GEN3 car, but also adapting to a new car.
“Being fully honest, the GEN3 car wasn't an easy thing for me to adapt to, I think part of it was obviously getting to know a new team at the same time. But it's a car that does not suit my driving style, like my pure driving style. So I had to adapt a little bit to it.
“It's taking me a little bit longer to get to full grips with the car. But as I said, I think we've done a step now and we're for sure a bit more competitive. And I'm glad that sometimes coming through those difficult moments also helps you to really dig deep and understand what the car and the driving style needs. So hopefully, it'll make us better by the end of the year.”
“At the same time for me, there's getting to know a completely new team. There’s a bit of a different way of getting things done here at Porsche, but it's been a process. We started off the season in, I won't say in a poor manner, but we weren't as competitive as Pascal [Wehrlein] for example, so we paid the price a little bit. We were always chasing lap time and results, and then on the back foot with some things, but super happy how we manage as a team to turn things around.”
On the up
The learning curve has been a quick one for da Costa, as he was able to stand on the top step of the podium after an outstanding last lap overtake for the lead in Cape Town, as well as a welcomed third place in Formula E’s first visit to Hyderabad.
“Two podiums and a race win already. Chasing back that championship lead, which obviously, is Pascal. But as a team, we just want to score solid points. Every weekend, we've shown that the car is so competitive, and I'm glad to now be in a position where I am confident that I can deliver good results for the team.”
Berlin provides drivers with a unique challenge, with the 2.4 km track being hosted on an old airport base. It will be a new kind of condition for the Hankook tyres to handle, with temperatures being colder than normal and an abrasive track surface. However, da Costa has many happy memories here.
“I've won a couple of races here, but they were in the pandemic so no fans at all. So I'm happy that we are going back to a full house this weekend. So glad to be here at the home race for Porsche, and try to get on that podium and celebrate with the fans this time.
“As a team, we're very ambitious. We have to aim high. And we're here to win both championships; Constructors’ and Drivers’. We're leading both at the moment. So, we're on route to that but the hard work will need to keep on going and needs to increase while everyone else is going to keep on improving. We're well aware of how much hard work and dedication we need to still put on the table from now until the end of the year.
“I finished fourth in Sao Paulo, and I was kind of angry with that. And but if you told me a month ago that I would be angry at a fourth place I would not have believed you - perspectives change quickly. We've now got a couple of podiums under our belt and a win.
“I'm happy that we're not happy with fourth place. It means the ambition is there but to win championships, we need to stay grounded and score a lot of points and a fourth place is sometimes a very good result. Let's see. The goal now is to win all the races until the end of the year. That's not a realistic goal, but we can certainly try!”