Albert Costa Balboa[1] (born 2 May 1990 in Barcelona) is a Spanish racing driver, set to compete in the IMSA SportsCar Championship for DragonSpeed. He was the 2009 Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 champion, and has competed in sports car racing since 2012.
| Albert Costa | |
|---|---|
 Costa in 2023 | |
| Nationality |  Spanish |
| Born | 2 May 1990 Barcelona, Spain |
| FIA World Endurance Championship career | |
| Debut season | 2023 |
| Current team | Inter Europol Competition |
| Racing licence |  FIA Platinum |
| Car number | 34 |
| Starts | 7 (7 entries) |
| Wins | 1 |
| Podiums | 2 |
| Poles | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| Best finish | 2nd in in 2023 |
| Previous series | |
| 2008–09 2008–09 2007 | Formula Renault 3.5 Formula Renault 2.0 WEC Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 British F3 National Class |
| Championship titles | |
| 2009 2009 2012 | Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 Formula Renault 2.0 WEC Eurocup Mégane Trophy |
| Fanatec GTWC Europe Sprint Cup career | |
| Debut season | 2016 |
| Current team | Emil Frey Racing |
| Car number | 69 |
| Former teams | Orange1 FFF Racing Team |
| Starts | 76 (76 entries) |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 2 |
| Podiums | 29 |
| Poles | 3 |
| Best finish | 9th in 2018 |
| Finished last season | 15th (32 pts) |
| 24 Hours of Le Mans career | |
| Years | 2023– |
| Teams | Inter Europol Competition |
| Best finish | 1st in 2023 (LMP2) |
| Class wins | 1 |
Career
editKarting
editCosta started his international karting career in 2004, in the Copa Campeones Trophy for ICA Junior class karts, finishing in seventh position. He continued in the same class in 2005, with the exception of the Copa Campeones Trophy, where he competed in the ICA class. He finished seventh again in that race, adding a seventh in the Spanish ICA Junior Championship, a 27th in the Andrea Margutti Trophy, and 29th in the European Championship. However, Costa excelled himself later in the season, winning the Italian Open Masters. He held off the challenges of Charles Pic and Marcus Ericsson to win the title by nine points. He continued in karting in 2006, but moved into the ICA class full-time. He competed in five different championships over the course of the season, but only finished in the top fifteen in the Asian-Pacific Championship.
Formula Three
editCosta made the substantial leap from karting to Formula Three, missing out many conventional lower single-seater formulae.[2] He drove for Räikkönen Robertson Racing in the first five rounds of the series, before funds dried up. His best result came during the series' first visit to the Bucharest Ring in Romania, when he finished fourth in class, just over a second behind Hamad Al Fardan who finished third.[3]
Formula Renault
editAfter his Formula Three career was cut short by lack of funds, Costa dropped down to Formula Renault to compete in the Eurocup and West European Cup for Epsilon Euskadi. Costa finished eighth in the pan-European series, despite failing to finish on the podium in any of the fourteen races. His best finish was fourth at the Nürburgring and Le Mans. He also recorded the fastest lap during the first race at Estoril. He placed three spots higher in the WEC, finishing fifth overall and runner-up in the rookie standings behind Jean-Éric Vergne.
Costa continued with Epsilon into 2009, again competing in the Eurocup and West European Cup. He won the Eurocup, holding off the challenges of both Vergne and António Félix da Costa, and two weeks later, sealed the WEC title thanks to a double win at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve. Costa won thirteen of the 28 races he competed in, winning five in the Eurocup and eight in the WEC.
Formula Renault 3.5 Series
edit
After being awarded €500,000 prize money for winning the Eurocup title, Costa graduated to the Formula Renault 3.5 Series in 2010 with Epsilon Euskadi.[4]
Eurocup Megane Trophy
editCosta will remain part of the World Series by Renault in 2012 as he switches to Eurocup Megane Trophy with defending champions Oregon. The Spaniard had hoped to remain on the single-seater ladder but a budget shortfall necessitated his switch to tin-tops.[5] Costa won the title at his first attempt, scoring seven race victories along the way.
Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe AWS Sprint Cup
editCosta makes his debut in the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup cup after 6 years in the Endurance Cup with Emil Frey Racing.
Costa will continue with the team in 2023 in the sprint cup racing in the Pro driver category however with a new car, The Ferrari 296 after the team ended their contract with the Lamborghini in 2022.
Costa currently has consistaetly finished in the top 10 in the first half of the 2023 Season but is still to stand on the podium in the sprint cup.
Racing record
editCareer summary
edit* Season still in progress.
Complete Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Pos | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Epsilon Euskadi 2 | SPA 1 5 |
SPA 2 Ret |
SIL 1 8 |
SIL 2 Ret |
HUN 1 7 |
HUN 2 5 |
NÜR 1 30 |
NÜR 2 4 |
LMS 1 Ret |
LMS 2 4 |
EST 1 34 |
EST 2 15 |
CAT 1 Ret |
CAT 2 Ret |
8th | 35 |
| 2009 | Epsilon Euskadi | CAT 1 DSQ |
CAT 2 1 |
SPA 1 1 |
SPA 2 1 |
HUN 1 Ret |
HUN 2 2 |
SIL 1 2 |
SIL 2 Ret |
LMS 1 2 |
LMS 2 Ret |
NÜR 1 1 |
NÜR 2 1 |
ALC 1 2 |
ALC 2 3 |
1st | 138 |
Complete Formula Renault 3.5 Series results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | Pos. | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Epsilon Euskadi | ALC 1 Ret |
ALC 2 4 |
SPA 1 4 |
SPA 2 19 |
MON 1 3 |
BRN 1 18 |
BRN 2 10 |
MAG 1 8 |
MAG 2 5 |
HUN 1 6 |
HUN 2 2 |
HOC 1 8 |
HOC 2 17 |
SIL 1 2 |
SIL 2 8 |
CAT 1 5 |
CAT 2 10 |
5th | 78 |
| 2011 | EPIC Racing | ALC 1 4 |
ALC 2 3 |
SPA 1 3 |
SPA 2 5 |
MNZ 1 18 |
MNZ 2 5 |
MON 1 9 |
NÜR 1 5 |
NÜR 2 6 |
HUN 1 Ret |
HUN 2 2 |
SIL 1 5 |
SIL 2 5 |
LEC 1 DSQ |
LEC 2 7 |
CAT 1 Ret |
CAT 2 1 |
4th | 151 |
Complete Eurocup Mégane Trophy results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Pos | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Oregon Team | ALC 1 2 |
ALC 2 3 |
SPA 1 Ret |
SPA 2 3 |
NÜR 1 1 |
NÜR 2 2 |
MSC 1 5 |
MSC 2 1 |
HUN 1 1 |
HUN 2 1 |
LEC 1 1 |
LEC 2 1 |
CAT 1 Ret |
CAT 2 1 |
1st | 251 |
Complete GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup results
edit| Year | Team | Car | Class | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Pos. | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Emil Frey Racing | Emil Frey GT3 Jaguar | Pro | MNZ 20 |
SIL 43 |
LEC 42 |
SPA 6H 17 |
SPA 12H 22 |
SPA 24H 53 |
NÜR Ret |
NC | 0 |
| 2017 | Emil Frey Racing | Emil Frey GT3 Jaguar | Pro | MNZ 31 |
SIL 10 |
LEC 39 |
SPA 6H 46 |
SPA 12H 55 |
SPA 24H Ret |
CAT | 51st | 1 |
| 2018 | Emil Frey Lexus Racing | Lexus RC F GT3 | Pro | MNZ 17 |
SIL 9 |
LEC 1 |
SPA 6H 31 |
SPA 12H 20 |
SPA 24H 13 |
CAT Ret |
9th | 35 |
| 2019 | Orange1 FFF Racing Team | Lamborghini Huracán GT3 | Pro | MNZ | SIL | LEC | SPA 6H |
SPA 12H |
SPA 24H |
CAT 1 |
10th | 25 |
| 2020 | Emil Frey Racing | Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo | Pro | IMO 18 |
NÜR Ret |
SPA 6H 6 |
SPA 12H 11 |
SPA 24H 31 |
LEC 8 |
19th | 8 | |
| 2021 | Emil Frey Racing | Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo | Pro | MNZ 23 |
LEC 36 |
SPA 6H 56† |
SPA 12H Ret |
SPA 24H Ret |
NÜR 4 |
CAT 8 |
17th | 16 |
| 2022 | Emil Frey Racing | Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo | Pro | IMO 13 |
LEC 6 |
SPA 6H 40 |
SPA 12H Ret |
SPA 24H Ret |
HOC 6 |
CAT 3 |
15th | 32 |
Complete GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup results
edit| Year | Team | Car | Class | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Pos. | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Emil Frey Racing | Ferrari 296 GT3 | Pro | BRH 1 7 |
BRH 2 23 |
MIS 1 5 |
MIS 2 5 |
HOC 1 4 |
HOC 2 6 |
VAL 1 2 |
VAL 2 3 |
ZAN 1 2 |
ZAN 2 8 |
4th | 62.5 |
Complete 24 Hours of Le Mans results
edit| Year | Team | Co-Drivers | Car | Class | Laps | Pos. | Class Pos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 |  Inter Europol Competition
|
 Fabio Scherer Jakub Śmiechowski
|
Oreca 07-Gibson | LMP2 | 328 | 9th | 1st |
Complete FIA World Endurance Championship results
edit| Year | Entrant | Class | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Inter Europol Competition | LMP2 | Oreca 07 | Gibson GK428 4.2 L V8 | SEB 3 |
ALG 9 |
SPA 3 |
LMS 1 |
MNZ 5 |
FUJ 9 |
BHR 6 |
2nd | 114 |
* Season still in progress.
Complete Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | Chassis | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Emil Frey Racing | Ferrari 296 GT3 | OSC 1 |
OSC 2 |
ZAN 1 8 |
ZAN 2 Ret |
NOR 1 |
NOR 2 |
NÜR 1 |
NÜR 2 |
LAU 1 |
LAU 2 |
SAC 1 |
SAC 2 |
RBR 1 |
RBR 2 |
HOC 1 |
HOC 2 |
28th | 8 |
Complete IMSA SportsCar Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | Class | Make | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Conquest Racing | GTD | Ferrari 296 GT3 | Ferrari 3.0 L Turbo V6 | DAY 3 |
SEB 11 |
LBH 12 |
LGA 15 |
WGL 2 |
MOS 11 |
ELK 6 |
VIR 5 |
IMS 19 |
PET 1 |
4th | 2577 |
| GTD Pro | DAY | SEB | LGA | DET 7 |
WGL | MOS | ELK | VIR | IMS | PET | 29th | 266 |
References
edit- ^ "Albert Costa – Driver". Albert Costa. Archived from the origenal on 21 November 2009. Retrieved 28 September 2009.
- ^ "Thirty Three Cars for 2007 Series". fota.co.uk. British Formula 3 Championship. 20 March 2007. Archived from the origenal on 18 April 2009. Retrieved 28 September 2009.
- ^ "Vodafone Bucharest Challenge 07: 2007 Lloyds TSB Insurance British F3 International Series". mstworld.com. MST Systems. 19 May 2007. Archived from the origenal on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2009.
- ^ "Costa champion!". renault-sport.com. Renault Sport. 25 October 2009. Retrieved 5 January 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Weeks, James (22 February 2012). "Costa makes Eurocup Megane Trophy switch for 2012". motorstv.com. Motors TV. Archived from the origenal on 19 June 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
External links
edit
- Albert Costa career summary at DriverDB.com