Taylor Barnard
McLaren-Racing-Media / LAT Images
ON THE LADDER
Taylor Barnard
Born : Norwich , 1st June 2004 Academy Programme : Team UK Competes : Formula E with Neom McLaren
Recent Results : Formula E : Jeddah 3rd / 2nd ; Mexico City , 14th ; Sao Paolo , 3rd
What is your earliest memory of motorsport ?
Watching my dad in Karting when I was seven years old . Just being around the paddock as a little kid , seeing all the karts going around , it ’ s just exciting and that is what inspired me to want to have a go .
What has been the highlight of your career to date ?
The Formula E Jeddah weekend . It ’ s my rookie season in Formula E and I had two podiums in one weekend , which is uncommon for most drivers . To have such a good result so early on was not expected at all , but very much welcomed .
What has been the lowest point ?
The 2021 Formula 4 season was difficult because we didn ’ t have the car , or the finance and it was a struggle . I didn ’ t even complete the year , so it was very difficult not knowing if I would have a drive going forward . Fortunately , though , that winter a new F4 team invited me to test in the UAE , I ended up doing the Championship out there then that led onto the European season .
What has been the best opportunity ?
Securing a full-time seat at the Neom McLaren Formula E team . I was the reserve and development driver and just worked as hard as I could , being there all the time , paying attention in all the meetings . Then one of the drivers had an incident that allowed me to drive a couple of races , and it all developed from there .
What are your aims and when do you want to get there ?
To be a Formula E champion . This year !
What is the biggest thing you have learned from the
Academy ? I ’ m looking forward to getting involved in the Academy this season as I haven ’ t had the time or opportunity so far . It is great to be able to learn and improve both as a driver and a person , and I will take every chance I can to do so .
How has your season been so far ?
So far , very good ! I was Formula E ’ s youngest ever podium winner in my first race at Sao Paulo and its youngest pole sitter in Jeddah , and even when we didn ’ t have such good performance , the team has been so supportive there has been no point where I felt weak , under pressure or flustered . Formula E is very close and , as a rookie , to race against all these drivers – world champions of everything – and be so super close in such an equal environment is amazing .
Revolution - March 2025
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