Barnard joins Bird to form British lineup at McLaren for 2024/25 Formula E
F1 News
The McLaren Formula E team will continue with an all British driver lineup for the 2024/25 Formula E season, after confirming Taylor Barnard will join forces with Sam Bird. Barnard comes in as a replacement for Jake Huges, who will be at Maserati MSG.
Barnard, who turned 20 in June, debuted in Formula E for McLaren at the 2024 Monaco E-Prix. The Brit had to replace Sam Bird, who couldn't compete due to a hand injury sustained in practice. He finished 14th, and kept the seat for the events in Berlin where he scored a double points finish.
McLaren confirm Formula E line up
“I am delighted to be racing for the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team in Season 11. In Season 10, I was the team’s Reserve and Development Driver and during that time I learnt a lot, putting my new knowledge into practice in Monaco and Berlin. I am excited to race alongside Sam this season, and I am sure I will learn a lot from him. He is one of the most experienced drivers on the grid, and I hope that together we can score plenty of points and collect some trophies for the team," Barnard said.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to be able to continue the journey with the team as full-time Formula E driver, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Barnard will compete alongside Bird who will turn 38 in January. The Brit is a regular in Formula E having joined for the inaugural 2014/15 season. He says he is delighted to stay with the team for a second season.
"This team has become like family to me, and I believe that we can achieve even better things together in the upcoming season. We’ve done some good work in our first season together; now it’s time to build on that and create even better memories in my second year with the team," Bird said. The 2024/25 Formula E season will start in Brazil in December.