ABB FIA Formula E Champion Antonio Felix da Costa has been awarded the Commander of the Order of Merit by Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
The 2019/20 champion was decorated with the honour yesterday at the presedential palace in Belem, Lisbon, with President de Sousa expressing his delight at da Costa's title win, saying that it "gives even more prestige to Portugal, in a sport with enthusiasts all over the world."
Que dia especial! Obrigado 🇵🇹pic.twitter.com/cfM6vSdiPs
— Antonio Felix da Costa (@afelixdacosta) September 3, 2020
Da Costa spoke of his pride at receiving one of the country's highest civil honours and thanked his compatriots and supporters for their unwavering support. The Cascais-born driver is striving to ensure he adds to his Formula E trophy cabinet in the seasons to come.
READ MORE: Nice guys finish first. The emotional journey of ABB FIA Formula E Champion, Antonio Felix da Costa
"It is a great honour to be awarded this honour by our President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa," said da Costa. "The support I feel from Portugal is really incredible and it just makes me want more. I want to continue to make my mark. Formula E is a championship that is only going to get more and more competitive as time passes, but I love difficult challenges!"
The 29-year-old added that he harbours the ambition of racing on home soil with Formula E at some point in the future.
“I want to make this happen,” he said. “Lisbon is being talked about around the world in motorsport, and to be able to race there would be incredible, especially now, when we are winning races and championships.”
WATCH: Behind-the-scenes with the champion in our fly on the wall 9 Days in Berlin series
Da Costa sealed his the Formula E Drivers' Championship after a storming showing in the Berlin season finale. The Portuguese headed home Stoffel Vandoorne (Mercedes-Benz EQ) by an eventual 71 points, throwing down the gauntlet for Season 7 with DS Techeetah also securing the Teams' title for a second consecutive season.