"Couldn't go anywhere" - Müller & Felix da Costa comment on early collision at Formula E in Jeddah

The first race of the "double-header" in Saudi Arabia ended early for Andretti driver Nico Müller after a rear-end collision with Porsche's Antonio Felix da Costa on lap 1. Both Formula E drivers spoke afterwards of a difficult and very chaotic start to the race.

Friday's race in Jeddah got off to a very eventful start. First Sam Bird spun, then Mitch Evans collided with Pascal Wehrlein first and then also with Nyck de Vries. And then Swiss driver Nico Müller was also caught out.

In turn 8, he drove into the rear of Porsche works driver Felix da Costa, got lifted into the air and skidded along the wall. Müller's car was so badly damaged that he immediately drove into the pits and had to retire from the race.

"That was a very chaotic start", Müller looks back. "There was contact everywhere in front of me. In turn 8, everything came together in such a way that I was unable to stop the car as expected."

Penalty for Saturday's race

"The people in front of me pulled to the outside, I couldn't stop in time and had nowhere to go. Unfortunately, there was then contact with the car in front of me", the Andretti driver describes the accident.

Nico Mueller is out of the #JeddahEPrix ❌ pic.twitter.com/yrk9CB0wZB

- Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) February 14, 2025

However, the early retirement was not enough of a penalty according to the stewards: Müller was given a three place grid penalty for Saturday's race for causing the collision. He also received a penalty point on his racing licence.

Felix da Costa: "Got hit from behind"

Felix da Costa also suffered from the crash. However, he fared better because he was able to continue after the accident with Müller: "I took a hit from behind on lap 1", described the Portuguese driver to e-Formula.news. "The car was badly damaged, but I was lucky that I was able to continue driving."

He doesn't blame Müller. "That was one of the most chaotic races I have experienced in recent years. It was important to finish the race and gain more experience", said Felix da Costa.

On Saturday evening at 6 pm (CET), we will see whether the second race in Jeddah will be just as chaotic.