Jordan's Track Talk

Tag: Reserve & Development Driver

  • Sam Bird signs as Nissan’s Reserve & Development Driver

    Nissan has announced that Sam Bird will be the squad’s Reserve and Development Driver for the 2025/26 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

    Bird has been ever-present on the Formula E grid since its maiden race in 2014 and has taken wins across all three generations of car in the championship.

    A title contender in several Formula E seasons, Bird claimed victory in the series’ second-ever race in Putrajaya, Malaysia and has competed in 144 races, scored 27 podiums and claimed 12 wins – the fourth highest in Formula E history.

    His most recent victory came at Sao Paulo in Season 10 (2023/24), when he crossed the finish line first in the Nissan e-4ORCE 04 for NEOM McLaren Formula E team, who were then a Nissan customer team.

    The team say Bird’s extensive knowledge of the Nissan Formula E powertrain will be a major asset to the squad throughout Season 12, as he works alongside Oliver Rowland, Norman Nato and Abbi Pulling to push the team forward.

    I’m extremely happy to be joining Nissan Formula E Team. I’ve worked closely with Nissan over the past two seasons, so I feel prepared as I know the Nissan Formula E powertrain well. I’ve got a great relationship with both Oli and Norman and they are two drivers I respect very highly. I’ll help them in any way possible trackside and by aiding to further develop the current GEN3 Evo and future GEN4 car. The knowledge I have built up over the last two years will mean I can jump straight into the simulator and give feedback instantly, supporting the squad to build on its recent success in Season 11.
    Bird on the news.

    We’re very happy to welcome Sam as our Reserve and Development Driver for Season 12. He is one of the most experienced and successful drivers in the championship and has competed with our powertrain for the past two seasons, so there was really no question that he would be a great fit for the team. He will play an important role as we look to keep consistently fighting at the top in the upcoming campaign while we get ready for GEN4.
    Tommaso Volpe, Managing Director and Team Principal, Nissan Formula E Team.

  • NEOM McLaren announce Dunne as reserve

    NEOM McLaren has signed Alex Dunne as the team’s Reserve and Development Driver for the 2024/25 season of the FIA ABB Formula E World Championship.

    In his role, Dunne will work directly with the team in Bicester and Woking, contributing to the team’s development, while growing his knowledge and experience within the series.
    Alex has been part of the McLaren Racing family since May 2024 when he joined the Driver Development programme.

    Dunne from Ireland, began his racing career at eight years old, before securing his first European karting title in 2019.
    In 2021, he made his single-seater debut competing in the 2021 Spanish F4 Championship, and securing a combined 16 race wins across the British, UAE and Italian Formula 4 Championships while racing for Hitech Grand Prix and US Racing.

    Dunne was crowned the 2022 British F4 Champion as well as the Italian F4 Championship runner-up.

    In 2023, Dunne was runner-up in the GB3 Championship with five victories and eight podiums. Last season he competed in the FIA Formula 3 Championship with MP Motorsport while continuing his development with the support of the McLaren Driver Development programme.

    I’m excited to be joining the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team as Reserve and Development Driver. Working with NEOM McLaren as part of my experience in the McLaren Driver Development programme is an excellent opportunity to hone my skills. I’m looking forward to doing what I can to support the team and learn as much as possible.
    Alex Dunne on the news.

    I am delighted to welcome Alex to the team as the team’s Reserve and Development Driver. Alex is an up-and-coming talent in single seater motorsport and has been part of the McLaren Driver Development programme since last season, through which we have been able to follow his progress and development. The team are looking forward to working with him in 2025. Alex will play an important role within our team, adding value to the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team with his drive and talent, while also gaining experience himself along the way.
    Ian James, Team Principal.