D AC OS TA TAKES BLAME FOR BMW CLASH
Antonio Felix da Costa believes his team-mate Alexander Sims could have won the ABB FIA Formula E Marrakech E-prix and blames himself for the clash between the BMW Andretti team-mates.
Sims mounted an assault for the lead towards the end of the race that da Costa had led after passing early leader Sam Bird, but the BMW drivers locked up going into the Turn 7 left-hander and then collided as da Costa slid wide into the barriers and subsequently retired.
Jerome d’ambrosio went on to win, while Sims recovered from the fracas to rescue fourth place.
“I’m sorry – that’s a mistake and a mistake coming from me only,” said da Costa.
“[It’s] terribly frustrating in this story because we lost a win, we lost a one-two, and even if it was just me, Alex could have won the race.
“But because of that, I denied him the win, denied the team a one-two. I’m feeling very bad for myself.”
Watching the race was Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, who was observing the stewarding proceedings and serving one day of the public service he was given for shoving former Force India racer Esteban Ocon in the aftermath of the 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix.
But Virgin Racing’s Bird questioned the decision to bring Verstappen to an FE event in the post-race press conference in Marrakech.
“I didn’t see him, it’s nice that he’s here,” said the Brit who finished third.
“[But] I mean, to call coming to a Formula E race community service I think does Formula E a bit of a disjustice.
“This is an amazing category, and people pay to come and watch us, it shouldn’t be a punishment to come here.
“I hope he enjoyed it, and I hope he will give good feedback to some of his colleagues.”