Sam Bird was left hungry for more after sampling Formula E’s new four-wheel-drive system during pre-season testing at at the Spanish circuit of Jarama
Four-wheel drive will come into play when the Gen 3 Evo machines’ full 350kw power reserve in unlocked in qualifying duels and after Attack Mode activation. After a taste of that extra grunt, the NEOM McLaren driver wishes it was the starting point for Formula E rather than being an alternate strategic factor.
“When you are running a four-wheel drive, the car comes alive. It’s so much fun; it’s really cool,” Bird said. “I’d love it to be permanent. I mean, it’d be nice if 350 all-wheel drive was what you run for the racing, and then if we had 450 or 500 kilowatts for qualifying — that would be crazy.
“It’s the way that you can get off corners, absolutely, It’s gonna be massive.”
As for his own team’s prospects, Bird was confident there is “more time for us to show” after a promising start to pre-season testing for NEOM McLaren. For much of the first three days of running, Bird and teammate Taylor Barnard have featured in the top half of the timesheets as they worked through various development items with their new Nissan-powered GEN3 Evo machines during the four-day test.
“I’m impressed with the work that we’ve been able to do,” Bird told RACER. “Obviously, it’s not all about being the quickest — we’re getting through a program that we designed prior to getting here, and so far, very happy with the work we’ve done.”
Both McLarens – as well as the Maserati MSG Racing cars of former McLaren driver Jake Hughes and Stoffel Vandoorne – spent Wednesday afternoon working on race preparation, opting to forgo the full complement of 350kW as they completed longer runs.
“Everything that we’ve done, we’ve done it for a reason,” Bird said. “Again, I’m happy with the work that we’ve done. I can’t say much more about what we were doing in the race runs, obviously, but we’ve crossed the Ts and dotted the Is on that work. And tomorrow we get to do some different work.”
But while Bird and Barnard have racked up lots of trouble-free miles and the data that comes with it, the overall picture remains unclear, with the teams’ own programs being shrouded in secrecy and Formula E’s new Hankook tires providing another new element to get to grips with on top of the refreshed car.
“It’s too early to say,” said Bird. “I think this is a question that would be better asked after three or four races, not day one and a half pre-season. I don’t know where we’re at compared to competitors, because the tire is so peaky that I don’t know who’s used more tires, who’s done more 350 (kW) laps, who’s had a clear track, who hasn’t.
“There’s more time for us to show — I suppose in that way that we have time in the pocket if we want to. And with regards to efficiency, we don’t know yet, because nobody’s showing their hand with that either.”
Bird is one of Formula E’s most experienced drivers with 128 starts and 12 wins, both putting him third overall on those respective lists, but on the other side of the garage is one of the series’ youngest drivers. After starring in a three-race stint while Bird was sidelined by injury last season, Barnard isn’t a rookie in the truest sense of the word, and Bird’s been impressed with his new teammate.
“He did three brilliant races last year when I had an accident in Monaco. He seamlessly slotted into the team,” Bird said of Barnard. “Everybody here really enjoys working with him, as do I. He’s extremely quick, has a wise head on young shoulders and I’m looking forward to having a season or two alongside Taylor.”
In just under a month, the Formula E season kicks off in Sao Paulo. It was the site of Bird’s most recent win, and McLaren’s first, which gives him confidence for a repeat performance.
“I’ve had some decent results in Brazil, obviously,” he said, recalling his last- corner, last-lap pass on Mitch Evans for the victory last season. “I’ve had a third and a win there, so something similar would be nice.”