The Formula E circus rolled into Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli for the inaugural Misano E-Prix, and it delivered a race filled with twists and turns, culminating in a dramatic post-race disqualification. Antonio Felix da Costa, who crossed the finish line first for Porsche, was stripped of victory after a technical infringement was discovered in his car.
The Misano E-Prix itself was a chaotic affair. Starting from 13th on the grid, Antonio Felix da Costa displayed exceptional racecraft and strategic tire management to carve his way through the field. A late-race overtake on Nissan’s Oliver Rowland secured the lead for the Porsche driver, sending him towards what appeared to be a well-deserved victory.
I’ve just been disqualified from todays win. Apparently the throttle pedal spring, that is made a unique supplier to all teams, is no longer valid for this year. Teams were not notified. Sad for the sport and the fans, to try and explain and understand this. Rules are rules… https://t.co/F7GFu4PuiT
— Antonio Felix da Costa (@afelixdacosta) April 13, 2024
Antonio Felix da Costa’s Post-Race Scrutiny and Disqualification
However, the celebrations were short-lived. Following a routine post-race inspection, stewards discovered an irregularity with the throttle damper spring in da Antonio Felix da Costa’s Porsche. While the issue did not provide any performance advantage, it violated Formula E’s technical regulations. The stewards, upholding the rules, had no choice but to disqualify da Costa, handing the victory to Rowland.
This unexpected turn of events handed the win to Oliver Rowland, marking his first victory in Formula E since his 2020 Berlin triumph. Rowland, who had a strong race himself, finishing second on track, expressed mixed emotions after inheriting the win. While happy to secure victory, he acknowledged the disappointment for Antonio Felix da Costa and Porsche.
The Porsche team was understandably frustrated by the disqualification. Team Principal Florian Modlinger suggested a lack of consistency in stewarding decisions, questioning why similar infringements in the past had not resulted in such penalties. Porsche has indicated they may appeal the decision.
Formula E cars are complex machines with strict regulations governing every aspect of their design and performance. The stewards’ decision in this case highlights the importance of adhering to these regulations, even if the infringement offers no on-track advantage. The disqualification serves as a reminder that even the smallest technical detail can have a major impact on race results.
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