Seven Things You Need to Know About McLaren Formula E Driver Taylor Barnard

Taylor Barnard is only getting started in season 11 of Formula E, but he has a long history of success in the junior categories.

Get to Know NEOM McLaren Driver Taylor Barnard

At just 20 years old, Taylor Barnard has already etched his name into the Formula E record books. The British racer stunned fans and pundits alike with a sensational drive to third place in São Paulo – his first race as a full-time driver for NEOM McLaren.

It was more than just a podium finish; it was a statement. A new era may be unfolding in all-electric racing, and Barnard is leading the charge. But while his Formula E breakout is the latest chapter in his story, it’s far from the beginning.

Karting Record

Barnard was born in Norwich, England and began karting in 2012 – starting when he was eight years old – at the Trent Valley Kart Club.

Barnard moved onto the European stage in 2018, racing in the OK Junior class for KR Motorsport, for whom he would win the WSK Final Cup at season’s end.

He would win the WSK Champions Cup at the start of his campaign whilst coming fourth in the European Championship.

This impressive performance in karting shows his raw talent as karting is often where you not only learn the basics of racing but figure out your driving style and the skills needed to rise up into higher motorsport categories.

Barnard finished second in the Karting World Championship in 2018 and in his final karting season in 2020.

This pattern of not winning a major karting championship conveys how hard it is to be a consistent driver every week in order to claim a title. However, Barnard took another WSK Champions Cup crown and won the WSK Open Cup in 2020.

Throughout his time in karting, Barnard had 12 wins, 19 podiums and 122 points

Barnard’s Formula 4 Campaign

In 2021, Barnard raced for BWR Motorsports – a team affiliated with his mentor, Nico Rosberg – to compete in the ADAC Formula 4 Championship.

In his rookie campaign, his best result was fourth, but the team didn’t drive in every race. This meant that he finished 17th in the championship with 17 points.

Barnard continued to race in Formula 4 the following year, driving for newly-formed team PHM Racing. He had a fair amount of success with the team, as he finished as runner-up in the final season of ADAC Formula 4 in 2022.

This implies that the Brit had all the talent and skills to become a champion but just needed to avoid any incidents that could lose him valuable points.

In 2023, Barnard competed in the inaugural Formula Regional Middle East Championship (FRMEC) with PHM Racing.

His commitment to one team shows his belief that remaining with the same partner is important to build success and climb up the motorsport ladder.

Barnard once again finished as runner-up in the championship to Andrea Kimi Antonelli, but contended for the title until the very end.

The Brit would continue to compete in the 2024 season of FRMEC with PHM AIX Racing, where he once again finished as the runner-up.

He once again struggled at the final race at Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi, showing that he needed to overcome his weaknesses at certain tracks.

Throughout his time in Formula 4, Barnard would have 13 wins, 20 podiums and 824 points.

Barnard’s Time in Formula 3

Barnard would race in Formula 3 for Jenzer Motorsport in 2023, culminating in one win, three podiums and 72 – finishing 10th in the Drivers’ Championship.

Taylor impressed in the third tier, clinching three podiums in his final four races, including a maiden victory at Spa-Francorchamps.

He scored his first points in the Melbourne feature race, where he finished ninth, and proceeded to have five consecutive points-scoring positions.

Barnard impressed in Barcelona by qualifying in the front row, presenting his speed and precision around this Spanish track.

Despite qualifying in 10th for the Spa-Francorchamps round, Barnard took his first podium in the series as he finished in second place.

The Brit spoke to Formula 3, saying:

“I definitely think my experience is starting to build up and we’re getting some results, but we’ve struggled here and there and it’s not quite going together.

“Throughout the year I’ve definitely gained experience and in situations like this I think experience is key. You need to manage everything very well and I think it was a mature drive.” – Taylor Barnard.

In the feature race, he took his maiden Formula 3 victory, following a right call on strategy, as he held off Christian Mansell in a race that took place in mixed conditions.

In September, Barnard was named as one of four nominees for the Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Award, with GB3 Championship driver Callum Voisin winning the award.

The Jump Up to Formula 2 for Barnard

After just one year in Formula 3, Barnard graduated to FIA Formula 2 in the 2024 season with AIX Racing, driving alongside Joshua Dürksen.

In February 2024, he was signed as the McLaren Formula E Team’s reserve and development driver.

At the time, many F2 drivers were being considered by Formula E teams since they wished to attract younger drivers with different audiences.

He only scored his first points finish of the series with seventh place in the sprint race in Imola, following a multi-car pileup on the opening lap.

Unfortunately, he was later disqualified over an alleged failure to engage the start set-up procedure on the formation lap.

In the following race, Barnard redeemed himself in Monaco by proceeding to take his maiden victory in the sprint race after qualifying on reverse pole.

Whilst many drivers win from pole in Monaco, it is not an easy feat as the lead driver needs to not make any mistakes and stay in the lead after safety car restarts – which are to be expected at this tight and twisty street circuit.

Barnard secured his best qualifying of the year with sixth in Austria, conveying that he needed to improve his performance in qualifying to be in contention for more podiums and points finishes.

Throughout his time in Formula 2, Barnard had one win, one podium and 18 points – finishing 21st in the Drivers’ Championship.

Barnard’s Chance to Race in Formula E

Barnard made his Formula E debut with McLaren at the 2024 Monaco ePrix after Sam Bird suffered a hand injury from a crash in FP1.

At 19 years and 331 days, the Brit became the youngest competitive driver in Formula E’s 10-year history. The Brit became the first teenager to start a Formula E race and would continue to shatter records in the all-electric racing category.

He qualified in 22nd and finished his debut race in 14th, showing that even though it may be difficult to overtake in Monaco, he took the necessary risk and kept his race clean.

Barnard also deputised for Bird at the Berlin ePrix. He finished Race 1 in 10th to score his first Formula E points while becoming the youngest Formula E points scorer.

Afterwards, he ended the double-header weekend by finishing Race 2 in eighth, showing his strong performance in a new motorsport category.

His debut in NEOM McLaren presented his adaptability, readiness and skills that every reserve driver needs to be ready at a moment’s notice.

Despite never racing on this track in Berlin, Barnard had a month to prepare for what was to come – compared to jumping in half through a race weekend.

NEOM McLaren Driver

The departure of Jake Hughes at the end of the 2023/24 season saw Barnard promoted as a full-time driver, partnering with Sam Bird for the 2024/25 season.

At the season opening São Paulo ePrix, Barnard qualified P17 and finished the race in third.

This pattern of outperforming in the race compared to qualifying will be a major point of contention for the British driver. He will have to learn how to maximise his qualifying set up to match his excellent race craft.

Barnard became the youngest podium finisher in the series’ history at the age of 20 years and 189 days.

Barnard finished a position ahead of his more experienced teammate Sam Bird, implying that it will be close amongst them from the get-go.

He followed up with two podium finishes in Jeddah, finishing third in Race 1 and second in Race 2.

In the same weekend, he scored his first pole position, becoming the youngest Formula E pole sitter at the age of 20 years and 259 days.

In summary, he currently holds multiple youngest driver records – he is the youngest driver to start a race, the youngest points scorer, the youngest podium finisher and the youngest pole sitter.

The Young Man Behind the Helmet

Barnard labels three-time Formula One World Champion Ayrton Senna as his racing idol.

“When I was younger, I was definitely aspiring to be like him. Looking at the old videos and seeing him as a driver on a person off track, that was definitely someone that I wanted to be like. I’ve tried to make myself as similar to him as possible as a person and in general as a driver. Of course, he was in my opinion, the best driver ever to live, so everyone wants to be like that.

“His aggression on track and his professionalism of his time was definitely the best compared to the other drivers around him. Also, he was a nice guy off track, he was not the same character on and off track, so I definitely aspired to be like that.

“The 1988 Monaco pole lap stands out for sure. Like he said, he was just steered by God. The lap was incredible to watch and I’m sure it was incredible to drive as well.” – Taylor Barnard.

Barnard’s whole life revolves around racing, showing his dedication and passion for motorsport.

“Fast and Furious. Anything from that series. The first three are more raw emotion and about cars, which is better. The last few have been a bit futuristic for me but the ones about the cars are the best ones.” – Taylor Barnard.