The second leg of the Jeddah double-header delivered a tactical masterclass as António Félix da Costa claimed his first victory for Jaguar TCS Racing. In an energy-critical Round 5 of the 2026 season, the Portuguese driver and his team perfectly navigated the complexities of the Gen3 Evo’s power deployments to finish 2.5 seconds clear of the field. This win marks a significant milestone for da Costa, representing his first trip to the top step since Portland in 2024 and validating his recent move to the Jaguar squad.
The race was defined by a cautious opening phase where several drivers, including early leader Oliver Rowland and polesitter Edoardo Mortara, took turns at the front to manage energy. Da Costa, however, made the decisive move by being the first among the frontrunners to activate both of his 350kW Attack Modes. This aggressive strategy allowed him to build a gap during his second activation that proved insurmountable for his rivals. Despite a stressful final few laps filled with dashboard alarms, da Costa remained composed to bring the car home.
Sébastien Buemi secured a hard-fought second place for Envision Racing, a remarkable turnaround after qualifying at the back of the grid the previous day. Buemi explained that his strategy was to lead early simply to avoid the “jungle” of the mid-pack and protect his car from damage. While he managed to maintain a podium position, he acknowledged that da Costa’s superior energy management allowed the Jaguar driver to stay at full throttle longer, ultimately securing the win.
Reigning champion Oliver Rowland rounded out the podium in third, providing a much-needed boost for the Nissan Formula E Team. After struggling with pace in recent outings, the team worked late into the night to overhaul the car’s setup, a move that paid off as Rowland remained in the hunt for the duration of the race. Behind the podium finishers, Mortara took fourth for Mahindra, while Dan Ticktum fended off teammate Pepe Martí in a robust battle for fifth.
In the championship hunt, Pascal Wehrlein’s eighth-place finish was enough to keep him at the top of the Drivers’ standings, though his lead over Mortara has narrowed to just six points. Porsche continues to hold a steady advantage in the Teams’ and Manufacturers’ championships, but Jaguar’s resurgent form in Jeddah suggests a tightening battle as the season progresses. The victory for da Costa serves as a powerful reminder that in the world of Formula E, the right strategy is often as valuable as raw speed.
