Felix da Costa reveals he spoke to Toro Rosso in 2017

Antonio Felix da Costa says that he was in contact with Toro Rosso in 2017 before the team brought in Brendon Hartley, despite not having enough points on his superlicence for a race seat. Felix da Costa joined the Red Bull programme in 2013 but never got a chance in Formula 1, with drivers such as Daniil Kvyat and Carlos Sainz getting the nod ahead of him.

The Portuguese driver has been competing in Formula E for the last four years, picking up one win during his time in the series. Despite parting company with Red Bull in 2015, the 25-year-old revealed that he held talks with Toro Rosso last season, before it opted for Hartley.

"Last year there were contacts at the time of Hartley's entry into Toro Rosso, but Hartley had more financial. support. I even decided to close the door to F1, although I still had a contract with Toro Rosso. But it does not make sense, for example, to pay to play for Real Madrid," he said.

"If you are good at what you do you have to be paid and not the other way around. So since F1 is a chapter closed for me, I am a fan who watches races. Red Bull was my last hope where talent mattered more than money. And now not even there, and that's why hope is over.

"There will always be room for the best, like Magnussen and Vandoorne who were taken by McLaren," he continued. "But there are very good drivers who do not get a chance because there are others who are not bad, but who do not have the quality to be in the top category of motorsport. Now I consider myself a lucky man, I work for a brand known in the four corners of the world, I treat myself well, I have a good career at age 26 and I have a long career ahead so I can't complain. " 

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
11 - Apr 13 2025
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America
16 - May 18 2025
Italy
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco
30 - Jun 1 2025
Spain
13 - Jun 15 2025
Canada
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
Belgium
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
Singapore
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America
24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18 2025
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1 2025
13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5 2025
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30 2025
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Alpine F1
  • Points 194
  • Podiums 3
  • Grand Prix 93
  • Country RU
  • Date of b. Apr 28 1994 (31)
  • Place of b. Ufa, RU
  • Weight 58 kg
  • Length 1.75 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar