McLaren has confirmed that Taylor Barnard will graduate to its Formula E team following the departure of Jake Hughes.
Barnard, who has been racing in Formula 2 this year – where he won the Monaco sprint race – alongside his commitments as NEOM McLaren’s reserve and development driver. The 20-year-old deputized for Sam Bird at three races last season after the veteran sustained a hand injury during practice for the Monaco E-Prix. He claimed back-to-back points finishes at the Berlin E-Prix after finishing 14th in his last-minute debut in Monaco.
“I am delighted to be racing for the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team in Season 11,” said Barnard. “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.”
Barnard will race alongside Bird in Season 11, the 12-time race winner being confirmed for a second season in papaya.
“I am excited to race alongside Sam this season, and I am sure I will learn a lot from him,” said Barnard. “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.”
Former Jaguar driver Bird joined McLaren ahead of last season and secured a dramatic first victory for the team at the Sao Paulo E-Prix, sweeping round the outside of his former teammate Mitch Evans at the penultimate corner on the final lap of the race in March.
“I’m very happy to be staying with the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team for Season 11,” said Bird. “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.”
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NEOM McLaren team principal Ian James said, “I am delighted with our lineup of Taylor and Sam for Season 11, our third in Formula E as the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team.
“Throughout his time with the team last season in his role of reserve and development driver, Taylor has shown dedication, professionalism and talent both on the track and off it. He relished a rare opportunity to demonstrate his ability at very short notice in Monaco and impressed the entire paddock. His grasp of Formula E was further underscored by strong, points-scoring races in Berlin.
“Joining NEOM McLaren at the start of Season 10, Sam immediately became an integral part of the team,” James said. “He secured McLaren’s first win in electric racing in historic fashion in Sao Paulo and demonstrated constant hunger for success. Going into his second season with us, I have no doubt that he and Taylor will bring the team the results we are aiming for.”
Barnard’s predecessor Hughes was confirmed as part of Maserati MSG’s all-new driver lineup alongside former McLaren Formula 1 driver Stoffel Vandoorne at the end of July.