Antonio Felix da Costa's victory at the Shanghai E-Prix marked a significant moment for the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship as nearly 40,000 spectators witnessed the tournament's return to China over the weekend after a five-year hiatus.

Nearly 40,000 spectators witnessed the tournament's return to China over the weekend after a five-year hiatus.

The race also saw NEOM McLaren's Jake Hughes clinch his first-ever Formula E podium finish at second, with Andretti's Norman Nato securing third place.

Da Costa's strategic prowess and superior energy management propelled him to victory, overtaking Nato on Lap 16 and holding onto his lead despite intense competition.

Reflecting on his win and the significance of racing in Shanghai, da Costa shared: "(It's) amazing to be back in China and to do it here in Shanghai. This is where, for me, it started. For me, it started in Beijing ten years ago. And to come back here (in Shanghai) and to win the race, it's amazing."

"I'm super happy with the momentum that we've been able to build. It's been a big run of races now since Sao Paulo, racing almost every two weeks, so we've been able to crack on and keep building a little bit more every weekend."

The victory not only solidified da Costa's standing in the championship but also highlighted the efficiency and performance of the Porsche and Jaguar teams.

Hughes, who had secured the Julius Baer Pole Position by a mere 0.001 seconds, expressed his excitement about his maiden podium finish. "It's about time, isn't it? I think I approached the race quite differently today... being quite aggressive and trying to make some moves and it paid off. It's amazing how much easier the race felt driving like it did today," Hughes said.

Hughes also shared his thoughts on racing in China: "China actually has always been kind to me... I think it's been a great weekend of Formula E. The grandstand has been full. Doing the autograph session was great with so many fans. And hopefully we're here for many more years to come."

Furthermore, the return to China and the debut in Shanghai drew praise from Mitch Evans of Jaguar TCS Racing, who emphasized the significance of being in such a vital market, highlighting the importance of engaging with Chinese fans and expanding the sport's reach.

As the championship now heads to Portland for the upcoming double-header on June 29-30, the electrifying performances in Shanghai have not only set the stage for an intense battle in the remaining rounds but have also underscored the pivotal role of Formula E in promoting electric vehicle (EV) technology and sustainability.

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