Barnard details 'pride' as McLaren take Formula E risk

Taylor Barnard has revealed that he feels "pride" rather than "pressure" in being the first young driver McLaren has taken a chance on in Formula E. 

McLaren has a rich history in taking chances on young talent, most notably in F1, something it was yet to do in FE, prior to the signing of Barnard. 

Since joining the all-electric series in Season 9, McLaren has fielded two experienced drivers in René Rast and Sam Bird, but also the very quick Jake Hughes. 

Whilst Hughes was signed by the Woking-based team as a rookie in 2023, he was 28 years old at the time. Barnard, at just 20 years old, is the first very young driver the team has taken a risk on. 

The British driver has actually competed in three FE races, having replaced Bird at McLaren in Monaco and the Berlin double-header last season, as he was its reserve and development driver.

In his most recent outing, Barnard became the youngest points scorer in the championship's history. 

He immediately understood the frenetic pack racing, something he believes is a strength of his compared to some other drivers in the category.

"I feel like the racing nowadays, with the pack racing, is very different to any other series," Barnard told RacingNews365 in an exclusive interview. 

"And obviously, being a younger driver, perhaps a bit sharper, and coming from karting not too long ago, where the racing is maybe comparable, perhaps I have a little bit of an edge in the racing situation to some drivers. 

"Obviously, there's some people that really understand it, like [Nick] Cassidy and [Oliver] Rowland, they really know how to do it. But that will be one of the strongest points for me, I think."

The Hamilton club

Barnard had already impressed on his last-minute debut in Monaco, following Bird's crash in practice which ruled him out of three races.

He went to another level in Berlin, with the young Briton recognising himself how crucial his performance in the German capital was to McLaren offering him a full-time seat.

"I think the Berlin weekend was quite important actually," said Barnard. 

"Obviously, scoring some points and working with the team a bit closer than perhaps a reserve or development driver role. I think it was pretty crucial."

As mentioned, McLaren has a rich history in taking a chance on young talent, noticeable names being Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. 

Barnard is the first driver McLaren has taken a risk on in FE, something he does not feel pressure over despite some of the names the British team has taken a gamble on in the past in other categories.

"I think, more pride than pressure," answered Barnard. "Honestly, I'm not really going into the season with much pressure. 

"I'm working as hard as I can, obviously, to get the results. I don't see that side of it as pressure. 

"Honestly, I take it in my stride, and it'll just make me push that little bit harder."