Formula E: How did McLaren's new sensation write history in Jeddah?
McLaren driver Taylor Barnard made history once again in the all-electic series, Formula E, scooping the record for the youngest-ever Pole Position holder aged 20 years and 259 days.
Taylor Barnard, who was born in Norwich in 2004, began karting in 2012 at the Trent Valley Kart Club. From there, he branched out to the Super 1 National Championship, where he would remain until his title victory in 2017.
The Briton moved onto the European stage in 2018, racing in the OK Junior class for KR Motorsport. Having become a karting protégé of Nico Rosberg and joined the Formula One World Champion's Racing Academy, Barnard progressed into the OK Senior category the following year.
Barnard remained with Rosberg Racing Academy for his final karting season in 2020. In the same year, he made his car racing debut, competing in three rounds of the Italian F4 Championship.
For 2021, Barnard partnered up with BWR Motorsports, a team affiliated with his mentor Nico Rosberg, to compete in the ADAC Formula 4 Championship.
Barnard remained in Formula 4 the following year, driving for newly-formed team PHM Racing alongside Nikita Bedrin and Jonas Ried.
In 2023, Barnard competed in the Formula Regional Middle East Championship, while he also raced in FIA Formula 3 with Jenzer Motorsport.
Barnard made his Formula E debut at the Monaco ePrix with McLaren from FP2 onwards to deputise Sam Bird, who suffered a hand injury from a crash in FP1. He qualified in 22nd and finished his debut race in 14th while becoming the youngest driver to start a Formula E race at 19 years and 331 days.
Barnard continued to deputise for Bird at the Berlin ePrix, where he finished Race 1 in tenth to score his first Formula E points while becoming the youngest Formula E points scorer. He ended the double-header weekend by finishing Race 2 in eighth.
After the departure of Jake Hughes at the end of the 2023–24 season, Barnard was promoted as a full time driver to partner Sam Bird for the 2024–25 season.
Jeddah E-Prix
On Friday in Jeddah he scooped a well-deserved third place, which can be added to his other piece of silverware that he got when he finished third in São Paulo.
On Saturday, Barnard secured his maiden pole position with NEOM McLaren, describing the moment as “absolutely incredible”.
“The car's been on fire all weekend. Obviously, yesterday was my first experience of the Duels. I said I would learn from my mistakes, and obviously I did. I couldn't be happy right now."
As well as youngest driver to achieve pole position, Barnard also became the all-electric championship's youngest podium finisher at just 20 years old and 189 days in São Paulo. In addition, he became the youngest driver to start a Formula E race when he made his debut at last year's Monaco E-Prix, and he became the youngest points scorer in last season's Berlin race.
