After missing the 2024 edition, blocked by Porsche, of which he is the official pilot, António Félix da Costa will make his big return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans (June 14-15) this year. Not in Hypercar, however, but still in prototype since the Portuguese is expected in the LMP2 category.
And more specifically on the AF Corse Oreca 07 No. 155. He will be competing alongside two French drivers, the experienced Matthieu Vaxivière and François Perrodo, who are experts in the category and the Le Mans classic. With less than a month to go before the event, the Portuguese driver spoke to the media Sportscar365 on this return to Sarthe. And behind the scenes of his arrival at AF Corse.
"Last year, when I wasn't allowed to participate in Le Mans, François (Perrodo) called me and I had to refuse.", da Costa tells our colleagues. "But I thanked him and we started a little relationship through that. Then he called me back and I got the green light from Porsche."
Da Costa driving a competitive car
Regarding his absence last year, the Portuguese driver admits that this situation was "massively" frustrating. But that's now behind him, and he's ready to shine with AF Corse. Above all, he knows he can shine, since he'll be in a competitive car. "François won the race last year (in LMP2 Pro-Am). And the team won the first round of theELMS in Barcelona in April. So she's in good shape.", recalls António Félix da Costa.
“I tested with them a few weeks ago, so I’m excited to be here. It’s one of the best races in the world and I can’t wait to get back there.”, he confirms to Sportscar365Winner at Le Mans in 2022, in LMP2 with the JOTA team, the Portuguese driver will try to get a second victory in a few weeks.
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