Jordan's Track Talk

Tag: Taylor Barnard

  • DS PENSKE sign Barnard for 2025/26

    DS PENSKE have confirmed rising star, Taylor Barnard will race for the team in the 2025/26 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship alongside seasoned race winner Maximilian Guenther.

    Brit, Barnard is fresh off the back of one of the best rookie season in Formula E history. He stood in for an injured Sam Bird at NEOM McLaren for his debut in Monaco and Berlin, Season 10, where he became the youngest-ever points scorer in the series’ history.

    In his first full campaign, he became the youngest driver to make the podium in Sao Paulo to open Season 11, before adding youngest polesitter to his list in Jeddah.

    The 21 year old has established himself as one of the hottest talents in motorsport, and team boss Jay Penske is more than happy with his capture.

    The team also confirmed that they will be retaining the services of Formula E’s youngest-ever race winner – Maximilian Guenther.

    The German driver is now an experienced head and multiple race winner – not least in Jeddah and Shanghai this year, the latter seeing Guenther head home an emotional DS one-two – the perfect complement to Barnard’s raw talent.

    I am thrilled to welcome Taylor to DS PENSKE. At just 21-years-old, he has already demonstrated remarkable speed, composure, and race craft, rewriting the record books and establishing himself as the most successful rookie in Formula E history. His talent, determination, and maturity make him one of the most exciting prospects in motorsport today.
    Penske on signing Barnard.

    I’m buzzing to be joining DS PENSKE for season 12. The team has a fantastic history in Formula E, and I an excited to work alongside Max to push for strong results. Formula E is such a unique challenge, and I feel ready to keep building on what I have achieved so far and fight at the front of the grid.
    Barnard on the news.

  • Barnard joins Bird at McLaren for Season 11

    NEOM McLaren has confirmed Sam Bird and Taylor Barnard for the 2024/25 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

    Barnard has been Reserve and Development driver at NEOM McLaren and had his first competitive experience behind the wheel of Formula E machinery for the team across the 2024 Monaco E-Prix and Berlin E-Prix, stepping in last-minute for the injured Sam Bird.

    Finishing those races in 14th, 10th and eight respectively, Barnard impressed – becoming the youngest points-scorer in Formula E history at the age of 19.

    Barnard entered single seater racing in 2020. On his way up the motorsport ladder, the Brit became 2022 ADAC Formula 4 runner-up as well as the 2023 Formula Regional Middle East Championship runner-up.

    In 2023, during his debut season in FIA Formula 3, he took his maiden victory in the championship at Spa-Francorchamps.

    In 2024 Barnard shared duties in FIA Formula 2 with AIX Racing alongside his role as Reserve and Development Driver for NEOM McLaren.

    Following his first season with NEOM McLaren, Bird will be continuing with the team for Season 11.
    The 37 year old has competed in Formula E since Season 1 and is one of only five drivers to have done so.

    Bird is among the most successful drivers on the grid with 12 wins, 26 podiums and six Julius Baer Pole Positions to his name over the course of those 10 season.

    Bird secured the team’s first and only win to date in Formula E with last lap heroics at the 2024 Sao Paulo E-Prix one of the series’ most memorable.

    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.
    Barnard on the news.

    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; now it’s time to build on that and create even better memories in my second year.
    Bird on sticking with McLaren.

  • NEOM McLaren confirm Barnard for Berlin

    Sam Bird will sit out this weekends Berlin E-Prix double header, as he recovers from surgery on his hand.

    NEOM McLaren have confirmed that 19 year old Taylor Barnard will be continuing his duties as Reserve Driver, covering for an injured Sam Bird.

    Barnard was drafted in after Sam Bird broke his hand in an accident during Monaco in FP1, when his car locked up and went down an escape road near Sainte Devote.
    Despite his best efforts to rescue the car, Bird hit the barrier and failed to let go of the steering wheel which then led to the injury.

    Bird has now undergone a successful surgery on his left hand, with the team supporting Sam and his recovery to ensure he can compete again as quickly as achievable.

    During his Formula E debut, Barnard managed to finish the Monaco E-Prix in 14th after he started at the back of the pack.

    We’re very pleased to report positive progress on Sam’s recovery, with a successful operation on his hand supporting his journey back into the car. Taylor did a stellar job in his last-minute call-up in Monaco, as did the team, who provided him with great support and guidance throughout. He will now be able to build on that experience, while Sam works on his recovery – with the team’s full support. We’re looking forward to having Sam back in the car soon.
    Ian James, Team Principal.

  • Barnard confirmed by NEOM McLaren for Misano

    NEOM McLaren will be giving Taylor Barnard another opportunity behind the wheel of their Gen3 car at the Misano Rookie Free Practice session on Friday 12th April.

    Barnard, from Norwich England, entered single seater racing in 2020. Since then, he has become the 2022 ADAC Formula 4 runner-up, as well as the 2023 Formula Regional Middle East Championship runner-up.

    In 2023, during his debut season in FIA Formula 3, he took his maiden victory in the championship at Spa-Francorchamps and finished the season 10th in the Drivers’ standings. He has now moved up to FIA Formula 2 for the 2024 season.

    Taylor got his first taste of Formula E racing in October 2023, having driven for the team as a rookie driver during the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s Valencia Pre-Season Test.
    Since then, he’s become an integral part of the team in his role as Reserve and Development Driver for NEOM McLaren.

    I’m looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of the NEOM McLaren GEN3 car in Misano. I’ve enjoyed working with the team so far this year as Reserve and Development Driver, and I’m looking forward to putting this into practice on-track.

    Barnard on the news.

    I am delighted that Taylor will be representing the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team in the Misano Rookie Free Practice Session next week. In his current role of Reserve and Development driver, Taylor is an integral part of the team and has helped us improve our performance on-track. This session will help him further understand the team and the correlation between his work in our simulator and on-track racing, while giving him that all-important experience in GEN3 machinery.

    Ian James, Team Principal.

  • Barnard graduates to Formula 2

    The 2024 Formula 2 grid is now complete following PHM AIX Racing’s announcement that Taylor Barnard will be making the step up from Formula 3.

    The Brit progresses to F2 after racing for Jenzer Motorsport last year in F3, finishing 10th in the Championship with the highlight being his maiden victory at the Spa-Francorchamps Feature Race.

    The 19 year old, shares a strong history with PHM AIX as he raced for the in the Formula 4 UAE Championship in 2022, as well as in both the Italian and ADAC F4 categories that same year – finishing as the runner-up in the latter after achieving five wins and 10 podiums.

    The following year, again with PHM AIX, he took part in the Formula Regional Middle East Championship, scoring two wins and seven podiums on his way to finishing second.

    I am delighted to announce I will be competing in FIA Formula 2 with PHM AIX Racing. It is another step up the ladder towards my dream and of course I wish to be more prepared, but I will do everything in my power and more to perform.

    Barnard on the news.

    On behalf of the whole team I can say that we are more than pleased and happy to have Taylor onboard. Being the most successful PHM Academy Driver, it is the logical step to evaluate Taylor as best promising option to be as successful as possible. He deserves the chance and until now, he fulfilled our expectations through all classes with pure dedication, will, natural talent and speed and increasing technical precision. All these efforts brought up good results, meaning in the last three FIA F3 Rounds 2023 he was the most successful driver by points. Taylor is teaming up with Joshua Duerksen and they know each other very well. We, as a still young PHM AIX Racing team, are aware that we are facing the most competitive Grid below Formula 1. The team is highly excited to have these two extremely motivated F2 Rookies in the field and I am expecting an increasing performance throughout the season and some positive surprising results.

    Roland Rehfeld, PHM AIX Racing Sporting Director.

  • NEOM McLaren announce Barnard as Reserve

    NEOM McLaren has confirmed Taylor Barnard will be its Reserve and Development driver through Season 10 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.

    In his new role, Barnard 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.

    The 19 year old got his first taste of Formula E in October 2023, having driven for the team as a rookie driver during the Valencia pre-season test.

    Barnard from Norwich, England, first entered single seater racing in 2020. Since then, he has become the 2022 ADAC Formula 4 runner up, as well as the 2023 Formula Regional Middle East Championship runner-up.

    In 2023, during his debut season in FIA Formula 3, he took his maiden victory in the championship at Spa-Francorchamps.

    I’m super excited and honoured to be joining the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team as a Reserve and Development Driver. Having an opportunity to work with a team such as NEOM McLaren is a great opportunity for my future and I will be working as hard as I can to support the team and working hard to learn as much as possible!

    Barnard on the news.

    I am delighted to officially welcome Taylor to the team, after giving him his first taste of electric racing in Valencia last October. He is an incredibly impressive up-and-coming talent in single seater motorsport, and I’m looking forward to working with him in 2024. Taylor will play an important role within our team, and I am confident he will be adding value to the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team with his drive and talent, while also gaining valuable experience himself along the way.

    Ian James, Managing Director, NEOM McLaren Electric Racing and Team Principal, NEOM McLaren Formula E Team.

  • Barnard completes Jenzer line-up

    Jenzer Motorsport have announced that Taylor Barnard completes their all-rookie driver line-up for the 2023 Formula 3 campaign.

    The British racer makes the step up off the back of finishing runner-up in the German ADAC Formula 4 Championship, with five wins and a further five podiums to his name.

    Banard made his single-seater debut in 2020 with a partial campaign in Italian F4 before making a full-time switch to German F4 the next year. 2022 saw the 18 year-old finish ninth in Formula 4 UAE, which he followed up with a dual campaign in both Italian and German F4, finishing eighth and second respectively.

    The Brit got his first taste of F3 machinery during the post-season test in Jerez last year, recording four top 10 finishes, including topping the final session of running.

    Ahead of pre-season testing in Sakhir in a fortnight’s time, Barnard is currently competing in the Formula Regional Middle East Championship where he currently sits second, with two race wins and two further podiums.

    I am very happy to continue working with Jenzer Motorsport after a successful test in Jerez. We’ve made good progress over the winter and I’m more than pleased to start the FIA Formula 3 season! This is by far the biggest step in my career and it will be a challenge, but definitely one I’m up for! I would like to thank everyone at PHM Racing for this great opportunity that will make it possible for me to drive at Jenzer Motorsport in 2023.

    Barnard on his new seat.

    We got to know Taylor as a very bright driver who doesn’t need long to feel good on a new track. This ability will be a huge asset for him given the limited track time in FIA F3 racing events. Taylor immediately shows strong pace and a quick adaptation, although of course it is clear that there is a learning curve for him to do, too. In any case, we are looking forward to the new season together with our drivers very positively.

    Team Principal, Andreas Jenzer.