The motorsport loving public got to spend time with ace racing drivers António Félix da Costa and Pascal Wehrlein as global sports company PUMA celebrated the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship which makes its debut in the Mother City on Saturday 25 February.
Da Costa and Wehrlein, who race for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, entertained the public and members of the media at the temporary PUMA Pit Stop store in Loop Street, Cape Town. The celebrations included interviews, shirt signings and Wehrlein being interviewed by TV presenter Julia Stuart as he drove up to the spectacular viewing point on Signal Hill in an all-electric Porsche Taycan Turbo S.
Da Costa is excited to be in Cape Town but said racing a new circuit would be challenging: “We have the track loaded into the simulator, so we had three days in the sim to get to know the layout of the track. But it is hard to race a new circuit as we have no idea what the tarmac is like, bumpy or not. It’s not like Rome or Berlin where we have been racing for a few years now and know exactly what the car needs to be quick there.”
PUMA has a rich history at the highest level in motorsport and the duo of Formula E drivers compete in PUMA race suits after PUMA signed a long-term sponsorship agreement with Porsche Motorsport in January 2019 to equip all Porsche factory team drivers and pit crews including the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team with the latest innovations in fireproof motorsport clothing.
“PUMA is probably the best in the market. Both for the quality and for their flexibility when it comes to the unique needs of the athlete,” said Da Costa. “The flexibility the brand and their personnel have around the athlete is a big plus, if you need something changed, a different type of glove, a different type of boot, stretch materials added here and there. We were able to fully configure this suit to our liking in terms of fitting and that is a big help for us.”
In addition, PUMA and its subsidiary Branded Sports Merchandising obtained the rights to develop, sell and market a range of replica and fanwear products for Porsche Motorsport. The ranges consist of apparel, footwear, headwear, accessories and bags.
“PUMA is delighted to provide the media and the motorsport loving public with the opportunity to spend time with António and Pascal. We also wanted to show off the beauty of Cape Town, while having some fun with Pascal and Julia,” said Brett Bellinger, Marketing Director PUMA SA. “Fans can secure a 20% discount off all motorsport replica at The PUMA Pit Stop store until 26 February, with 10% off all motorsport product in the PUMA Canal Walk and Waterfront stores until 26 February and an additional 10% if you have a Formula E ticket. PUMA is also offering the opportunity to win tickets through competitions on KFM as well as through lucky draw prizes tied to instore purchases of PUMA product at the Pit Stop store.”
