Fortescue announce first Formula E driver signing as preparation intensifies

Fortescue Zero Racing has signed Taylor Barnard as its first driver ahead of the team's entry into Formula E and the upcoming 2026/27 campaign.

The 22-year-old Briton joins the new outfit after a challenging campaign with DS Penske, which did end with him becoming the youngest race winner in the all-electric series.

Barnard has amassed six podiums, two poles and one race win from his two seasons in the all-electric series, and is regarded as one of the brightest young talents ever seen in the category.

He will now form part of Fortescue's debut line-up as the squad prepares to join the grid for the first time, following its acquisition of Penske – Barnard's former team.

Barnard said he was relishing the chance to help shape a brand new team from scratch.

"I'm incredibly excited to join Fortescue Zero Racing and be part of building something from the ground up," Barnard said.

"This is a new team with a huge amount of ambition, and I want to help turn that ambition into results on the track."

"Fortescue Zero has a strong history of developing high-performance electric technology, and I'm looking forward to working with the team and helping push that technology further and faster than ever before. 

"We know there is a lot of hard work ahead, but that is exactly what makes this opportunity so exciting. I can't wait to get started."

Taylor Barnard signing 'first piece' of Fortescue puzzle

The signing of Barnard has long been expected and is very much the first piece of the puzzle for Fortescue.

Its team principal Jim Wright said Barnard was exactly the type of driver the team wanted to build its project around.

"Taylor is exactly the kind of driver a new team wants to build around. He has already shown that he has the speed, discipline and race craft to compete at the front of Formula E," Wright said.

"Barnard is young, hungry and has a huge amount of potential. Just as importantly, he understands how to work with engineers and extract every bit of performance and efficiency from the car."

"We are building a new team with serious ambitions. Taylor is the first piece of that picture, and we are excited to see what we can achieve together."