Report: Nico Müller completed Formula E test for Porsche - danger for Antonio Felix da Costa?

Shortly after the Tokyo E-Prix and Nico Müller's first points of the season for the ABT Cupra team, there is some explosive news about the Swiss driver. As The Race reports, Porsche has used the forced break between the races in Diriyah and Sao Paulo to put Müller in its Formula E car for a test. As Wehrlein's place at Porsche seems secure, the question arises as to whether Antonio Felix da Costa is already counted out after a weak start to the season.

Ahead of the Sao Paulo E-Prix a few weeks ago, all teams used the "free time" for development and preparation. Porsche tested at the Almeria Circuit in Spain. Nico Müller is also said to have driven the Porsche 99X Electric there. Team principal Florian Modlinger did not confirm an enquiry from the colleagues in this regard, but did not deny that Müller was involved either: "We tested in Almeria and both of our main drivers were there."

The test, which served as preparation for the revised Gen3.5 cars for next season, was generally a test for potential future candidates, as the Porsche team boss confirmed: "As is usual at Porsche, we tested other drivers in order to evaluate them for the future. But we can't say at the moment which drivers we have tested."

Attractive option for Nico Müller?

Since ABT's return to Formula E, Müller was the man to score points for the German team whenever there was something to be gained. Already in 2023, he repeatedly showed strong performances in qualifying and the race. However, the Swiss driver is hampered by the Mahindra-powered ABT car. Time and again, good grid positions come to nothing. The car's lack of efficiency and pace result in technical limitations.

It may be time for the 32-year-old to look around and seize new opportunities within the electric racing series. The aforementioned report assumes that Müller will be without a contract at the end of the current season. Porsche - currently leading the drivers' standings - would certainly be an attractive target for him. There is also already a connection between Modlinger and Müller, as the two have worked together in the DTM for years.

Will Felix da Costa's poor start to the season be a problem?

The team order at Porsche is currently crystal clear. Pascal Wehrlein leads the world championship - with a 43-point advantage over team-mate Felix da Costa. It was only in the last race that the Portuguese was able to stand up to Wehrlein and beat him. Even though he has recovered: Felix da Costa missed out on many important points for the drivers', teams' and constructors' championships due to mistakes and the considerable performance gap to the German at the start of the season.

Felix da Costa's start to the world championship was already weak in season 9. The last podium in Portland last year was followed by seven consecutive races without points. The negative streak ended in Brazil - shortly after Müller's Almeria test... However, a Porsche farewell for the former Formula E champion would be conceivable if he doesn't score "big points" soon.

What is not clear from the report, however, is if Müller's alleged test was possibly only in connection with the talks between Porsche and ABT regarding a potential customer team collaboration. These discussions actually took place, but did not lead to an agreement. The facts are thin on the ground. However, this year the so-called silly season for the 2024/25 season has already begun in April.