“I knew this was my last chance. We couldn’t fail”

F3 MACAU António Félix da Costa has added his name to the illustrious list of Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix winners, thanks to a consistent drive on the tricky Guia street circuit yesterday. The Portuguese young gun, fresh from testing for the Formula 1 team Red Bull Racing in Abu Dhabi, started the 15-lap Grand Prix from pole position. However, just like in Saturday’s Qualifying Race, he found himself trailing Felix Rosenqvist on the run down to the Lisboa on the first lap. But a perfectly executed move into the right-hander saw the Carlin-Dallara straight back into the lead, and once there, da Costa was able to control the race with a burst of speed following a mid-race restart setting him up for a historic win. The Portuguese driver achieved his long sought after goal to win in Macau and told reporters at the end of the race that the victory brings him closer to his Formula 1 dream.

- How do you feel after this historic victory?                     

- These two guys [Rosenqvist and Lynn] did an unbelievable race. I think the three of us did every lap on the limit. I need to thank my team, Carlin-Volkswagen, that put this amazing package together. And to Red-Bull, that picked me up at half of the season. It’s been an unbelievable ride. There’s so many good names on this list [of MGP winners] and now mine is there too. During the race there was a fight between all of us, but I think that we were always fair.

- How did you react when the wrong national anthem was played to salute your triumph?

- To win here with all this Portuguese entourage, it’s incredible.  The hymn detail [At the podium, the national anthem initially played was not the Portuguese one, and the ceremony was extended for a long time until the right one was played. Meanwhile, the Portuguese national anthem was sung with lung-bursting enthusiasm by the crowd, which led Félix da Costa to tears] was very sad, but it caused a beautiful moment, with all the Portuguese that were there singing the anthem. It was very moving and I want to thank the support given by all the Portuguese [supporters] that were here during this weekend.

PB

- At the beginning of the race, going into the Lisboa bend, you were close to losing first place to Rosenqvist. But from there on you seemed to be controlling the event…

- It’s a very tough race, fifteen laps on the limit, always racing very close to the walls. The slightest mistake and things can go wrong. I was very close to the walls in some occasions, but always managed to keep a safe distance, preventing others from catching my slipstream and overtaking.

- Where will you race next season?

- I’m in Red Bull team hands. I’m not going to stay in GP3. The jump ahead will be made, probably to the World Series by Renault 3.5. I would also like to put my step on F1, as I already did this year. That would be perfect.

- Do you plan to return to Macau?

- I always said that this would be my last year here [as a F3 racer]. Leaping forward it doesn’t make sense to return to F3. I want it to take a few years before I come here and race on GTs. That would mean that F1 was behind me. Unfortunately, I don’t think I will return here for a long time, at least not to race. I knew this was my last chance. We couldn’t fail. Together with the team, without mechanical flaws, we managed to get this victory for Portugal.

- Macau has been in the Portuguese headlines because of Luís Carreira’s death. Your victory can be considered a positive conclusion to a GP marked by tragedy…

- I frankly tell you that the way the news is made in Portugal is sad. Small news makes the headlines and a rider needs to die to make the TV news, or to have a report about the Macau Grand Prix, or about racing. This weekend was very dark and depressing. We lost Portuguese rider Luís Carreira. I am sympathetic towards that, and it was hard for me. This victory is also for him and to all the Portuguese [fans] that were here during the weekend.

- How will you celebrate this triumph?

- I will not rest. On Tuesday when I’m back in England I will have a F1 test day with Red Bull. Than I will go to Spain, where I have one day of training in the World Series. I will not stop.