The NEOM McLaren squad announced Tuesday the signing of Taylor Barnard to partner Sam Bird for Season 11 of the FIA Formula E World Championship.
Barnard, a McLaren Development Driver who currently lies 20th in the FIA Formula 2 standings, has balanced his rookie campaign wit AIX Racing alongside Reserve Driver duties for the NEOM FE arm of the British marque.
Aged just 19, Barnard was called at late notice to replace the injured Bird at the Monaco E-Prix and Berlin E-Prix double-header in Season 10, becoming the youngest points scorer in the all-electric series’ history with 14th, 10th and eighth-place finishes.
Those stand-in drives have done enough to impress NEOM McLaren FE Team Principal Ian James, who has granted Barnard the opportunity to display his talents for a full campaign, alongside the returning Bird, who brought the team its first victory at Sao Paulo this year.
“I am delighted with our line-up of Taylor and Sam for Season 11, our third in Formula E as the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team,” said James.
“Throughout his time with the team last season in his role of Reserve and Development Driver, Taylor has shown dedication, professionalism and talent both on the track and off it.
“He relished a rare opportunity to demonstrate his ability at very short notice in Monaco and impressed the entire paddock. His grasp of Formula E was further underscored by strong, points-scoring races in Berlin.
“Joining NEOM McLaren at the start of Season 10, Sam immediately became an integral part of the team.
“He secured McLaren’s first win in electric racing in historic fashion in São Paulo and demonstrated constant hunger for success. Going into his second season with us, I have no doubt that he and Taylor will bring the team the results we are aiming for.”
Barnard said “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.
“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.”
Bird, who has contested every single season in Formula E history, added “I’m very happy to be staying with the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team for Season 11.
“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, and now it’s time to build on that and create even better memories in my second year with the team.”
