The start of the new 2019/2020 Formula E season , the sixth in its history, is just around the corner. One more year, the ABB FIA Championship starts a new edition, which will extend its calendar to no less than fourteen races. The teams have already revealed the vehicles that will compete in the championship, as well as the two drivers that they will line up throughout the season, who have already completed their first official test at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit, Valencia. The feelings of the defending champion DS Techeetah have been very positive. This is what Mark Preston , director of the team, has told, who has ensured that they had a fun and productive week, “since we have carried out our planned test program.” In addition, he added that “although it is not a performance indicator, it bodes well that our two riders have ridden in the front group, as it is a sign that we are ready for next season.”
Welcome antonio
This first official test has also helped the pilots to adapt to their new teams. As is the case of the Portuguese Antonio Felix Da Costa, who will wear his usual number, 13, in the DS Techeetah during this sixth season, which will begin on November 22 in Riyadh (Morocco). The 28-year-old, who has participated in the championship since its inception, has played 54 races, in which he has achieved pole positions, podiums and two victories (Buenos Aires and Riyadh). In the last season, he finished sixth overall. “Having the opportunity to join the two-time champion team in this highly competitive motorsport category such as Formula E is not something usual. It was a tough decision to change teams, but it is an opportunity that I couldn’t give up ”, said the driver.
Jean-Éric Vergne , the other driver from the DS team, also wanted to give a warm welcome to Antonio. “We have been friends for a long time, and we were part of the same motorsports program in the past, so it will be great to work together again. His presence among us will be a great contribution to the team, ”said the Frenchman.
Stronger than ever
As for the DS Techeetah’s single-seater design, created by the DS Design Studio, its famous black and gold colors will reinforce its sporty look. In addition, the championship winner will also wear two laurel wreaths and Vergne’s vehicle, the current two-time champion, will be decorated with two gold stars to celebrate his two driver titles.
From a technical point of view, the E-Tense FE20 is the fruit of development work based on the qualities of the two-time champion E-Tense FE19. In this sense, Xavier Mestelan Pinon, Director of DS Performance, pointed out that “the team has taken advantage of the experience that allowed us to win both titles to further develop the potential of the car. Our engineers have optimized most of the elements by further developing our winning concept, rather than re-creating the vehicle. The engine, the inverter and the transfer case have evolved, and the most profound changes are at the heart of the integrated systems ”.
