NEOM McLaren has become the latest FIA Formula E team to reveal its livery for the upcoming 11th Season of the all-electric championship.
Sticking to tradition, the team has opted for a papaya colour scheme, similar to what it has run since it entered FE in Season 9, and in uniform with what it runs in Extreme E and Formula 1.
The Woking squad is looking to build on a Season 10 which saw it claim its first-ever victory in the sport, with Sam Bird claiming a memorable win in São Paulo after a stunning last-lap overtake on Mitch Evans.
Bird will be joined this year by Taylor Barnard, who vacated his seat at AIX Racing in FIA Formula 2 to replace Jake Hughes, who moves to Maserati MSG Racing.
It is contrast of youth and experience, with Bird, 37, having made his single-seater racing debut in 2004, the year Barnard was born.
Barnard is of course no stranger to Formula E, having replaced an injured Bird hours prior to the Monaco E-Prix last season. After finishing the race, Barnard went on to deputise for Bird at the following rounds in Berlin, finishing in the points in both the Saturday and Sunday races.
In a statement released by McLaren, its Team Principal Ian James said: “Our livery for the upcoming season in Formula E is a demonstration of the evolution of the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team throughout the last two seasons.
“In preparation for the upcoming season, the team has been working hard to build on the knowledge we have gained as NEOM McLaren so far in Formula E. I can’t wait to see the team in action with this new livery.”
Bird said: “I’m looking forward to my second season with the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team. 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.”
Barnard reiterated his excitement at driving for the team, adding: “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. I can’t wait to get started.”
