As the 2025 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship prepares for its season finale at the ExCeL London circuit, British rookie Taylor Barnard heads into his home race with one major milestone still outstanding. Despite a debut season packed with impressive results — including podiums, pole positions, fastest laps and new records — a race win remains the final piece of the puzzle. With the support of a British crowd and the momentum of a stellar rookie year, Barnard is aiming to tick that final box on home soil.
But this weekend is not just about personal success. The double-header in London also marks the final Formula E outing for NEOM McLaren, and the end of Barnard’s season-long partnership with veteran teammate Sam Bird. As the team bows out of the championship, Barnard carries not only his own ambitions but also a desire to deliver a fitting farewell for those around him.
One last push for a first win
Barnard was asked directly about the possibility of finally standing on the top step — and whether London, of all places, might be the stage where it happens. With a win the only major result missing from his campaign, the 19-year-old was clear about his intentions: the target is victory, not just for the glory, but also for crucial points in his fight for second in the Drivers’ Championship.
“Yeah I mean to do that at home would be amazing,” Barnard said. “Of course I’m trying to do my best, I’m fighting for second in the Drivers’ Championship as well so it’s not that I want to get the win just to win of course, I need to get the points as well.”
Yet Barnard tempered expectations with a reminder of the unique challenge that London’s part-indoor layout presents, especially when it comes to overtaking. With track position likely to play a decisive role, much will depend on qualifying.
“It’s definitely the aim and the target but if it’s actually possible we’ll see after Qualifying. Of course, you mentioned that it’s quite difficult to overtake here in the races so we’ll do our best and like Ollie [Rowland] said we’ll see what’s available after Quali in terms of strategy.”
Sam Bird: A teammate turned mentor
Barnard’s rise within the McLaren team has come with guidance from one of Formula E’s most experienced figures. After initially standing in for Bird last season, Barnard returned in the 2024-2025 season as a full-time McLaren driver — this time alongside the man he replaced. Their partnership has become a central part of Barnard’s growth this season, and as Bird prepares for his final weekend with the team, Barnard reflected on the veteran’s impact.
“He’s been the best teammate I have had so far in my career by a mile,” Barnard admitted. “When he took me in as his teammate at the start of this year he was super helpful [and] of course, one of the most experienced drivers in Formula E.”
Barnard emphasised that Bird’s influence extended beyond just driving. One of the greatest challenges for rookies in Formula E is managing media and public attention — something Barnard struggled with early on. Bird’s openness about how he handles the spotlight gave Barnard the tools to become more comfortable and confident.
“Media was actually one of the things that I struggled with the most and him just explaining how he deals with it and how he tries to put himself out in front of the camera was one of the biggest helps to me.”
He added, “I have a lot of thanks to say to him which I can’t get out of right now but yeah he’s been a great teammate to me this year.”
Would team orders ever be needed?
With Bird leaving the series and Barnard in a tight battle for second in the standings, questions naturally arose around the possibility of team orders — particularly if Bird were ahead and Barnard needed a place for the points. The rookie’s answer demonstrated both humility and maturity. He made it clear that if Bird was in a winning position, he would never ask to take it away — especially not during what might be Bird’s final race in Formula E.
“If we were first and second, I would definitely not want to take a win away from him especially if this is to be his last weekend in Formula E then I would never, never want to do that if he’s in the lead. Of course he deserves to win the race.”
That said, Barnard acknowledged that if both drivers were running outside podium contention and the difference in points mattered, Bird would likely offer the place without question.
“If we were in P7 and P8 and it made the difference I think I wouldn’t even need to ask twice. I think he would do it and of course it wouldn’t change the team’s championship either so I don’t think there’d be any issues there.”
Sending NEOM McLaren off in style
London does not just represent a personal opportunity for Barnard — it’s also the final race for NEOM McLaren in Formula E. The team will exit the championship after this weekend, closing a chapter that included standout moments, strong performances and a signature commitment to engineering excellence.
Barnard was clear that his greatest motivation this weekend is giving the team the send-off it deserves. McLaren enters the finale in a multi-way fight for third in the Teams’ Championship, and Barnard himself is still in contention for the runner-up spot in the Drivers’ standings. But for him, the main goal is emotional rather than statistical.
“Yeah, exactly I mean the team deserve a good weekend, a good send-off,” he said. “We’re fighting for the Manufacturers’ Championship with Nissan, the Teams’ Championship third position, myself in the Drivers’ Championship, so there’s lots of reasons why we need to go out on a high.”
He reiterated that, more than anything, he wants to reward the people behind the scenes — those who helped guide his rookie journey and supported him throughout a historic debut season.
“I think the biggest one’s definitely to give the team a good send-off as they deserve after the last few years. They’ve had such a great personality in the team and I think they deserve a good result as the last weekend.”
A rookie season to remember
Taylor Barnard arrived in Formula E with little fanfare, but over the course of Season 11, has grown into one of the most promising drivers on the grid. Whether or not a race win comes in London, his rookie season already stands as one of the most accomplished in recent series history.
The final weekend at ExCeL offers one last opportunity to celebrate McLaren’s time in the championship, Sam Bird’s career, and Barnard’s own transformation from substitute to star. And for the young Briton, there may be no better place to do it than at home.
