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 

Test calendar

See full test schedule

World Championship standings 2026

Show full world champion standings

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
6 - Mar 8
Australia
13 - Mar 15
China
27 - Mar 29
Japan
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
1 - May 3
United States of America
22 - May 24
Canada
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
12 - Jun 14
Spain
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2026

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
10 - Apr 12
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
5 - Jun 7
Monaco Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
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