Formula E champion Antonio Felix da Costa is eyeing a one-off Formula 1 appearance at his would-be home race in Portugal, it’s reported.
The country will host its first Grand Prix since 1996 at the Portimao circuit in Algarve on October 25, this after coming forward to form part of the now 17-race revised calendar following the disruption caused by Covid-19.
F1 has also not had a Portuguese driver since Tiago Monteiro, who of course famously finished third at the controversial United States GP in 2005.
Da Costa was aiming to end that wait as part of the Red Bull stable but, despite testing with the F1 team, never got his opportunity and would leave at the end of 2015.
Formula E has been where the 29-year-old has predominantly called home since, and this year, he finally became champion in the all-electric series as a run of two seconds and three straight wins saw him ease to the title in Berlin.
With his championship defence not beginning until January, however, that frees Da Costa to potentially make the special appearance at the Portuguese GP.
And The Race says talks with two teams have already taken place, though who they are hasn’t been confirmed.
AlphaTauri has obviously been suggested given his previous links with Red Bull, while teams like Haas and Alfa Romeo would likely accept the sponsorship money to replace one of their regular drivers.
It’s also unknown if Da Costa could simply limit his participation to a Friday practice outing or if, like Andre Lotterer in Belgium in 2014, he would complete the full weekend.
Watch this space!
