TAYLOR BARNARD
the journey so far
EARLY CAREER:
Taylor Barnard began his karting career at a young age, quickly establishing himself as a standout talent in the sport. Starting in 2012, Barnard competed in various national and international karting championships. Over the years, he secured several prestigious titles, including wins in the WSK Champions Cup and the WSK Final Cup, two of the most competitive karting series in Europe.
Barnard's rise in karting was notably bolstered by his association with the Rosberg Racing Academy, founded by 2016 Formula 1 World Champion Nico Rosberg. Under Rosberg's mentorship, Barnard gained significant experience and honed his skills against some of the best young drivers in the world. His success in karting laid the groundwork for his eventual move to single-seater racing in 2020, where he transitioned to Formula 4.
FORMULA RACING:
In 2022, Barnard finished as runner-up in the ADAC Formula 4 Championship and had strong showings in both Italian and UAE F4 competitions. In 2023, he stepped up to FIA Formula 3 with Jenzer Motorsport, where he impressed by finishing 10th in the Drivers' Championship, achieving one victory at Spa-Francorchamps. His performances secured him a spot as a reserve driver for McLaren’s Formula E team.
Taylor Barnard's 2024 FIA Formula 2 season was a year of adaptation and development. As a rookie with PHM AIX Racing, Barnard had a challenging start, having missed the 2023 post-season testing. Despite this, he managed to show promise early on, with a solid qualifying performance in Bahrain, though mechanical issues affected his race results. He continued to adapt to the heavier, more powerful F2 cars, focusing on refining his driving style and gaining experience across various circuits.
Barnard's breakthrough came at Monaco, where he secured his maiden F2 victory during the Sprint Race. Starting from pole in the reverse-grid format, he held off competitors after a chaotic race that involved multiple incidents and a late restart. This marked a significant achievement for Barnard, making him one of the season’s many race winners, and showcased the competitive nature of the 2024 grid.
FORMULA E:
Taylor Barnard joined the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team for the 2024/25 season after serving as the Reserve and Development Driver in the previous season. Barnard gained valuable experience in 2024 by stepping in for the injured Sam Bird during the Monaco and Berlin E-Prix, impressing with finishes of 14th, 10th, and 8th. His performances, particularly in Berlin where he became the youngest points scorer in Formula E history at 19, solidified his reputation as a rising talent in the series.
Barnard expressed excitement about racing full-time alongside Bird, one of the most experienced drivers in the series, and aims to help McLaren collect points and trophies in the upcoming season.
Taylor Barnard’s rookie season in Formula E was nothing short of remarkable, as he quickly established himself as one of the sport’s brightest young talents. Stepping up to a full-time seat with NEOM McLaren, he shattered records by becoming the youngest driver to start a race, score points, take pole position, and stand on the podium in series history. Across the campaign, he secured five podium finishes, including a debut rostrum in São Paulo, two pole positions, and even a fastest lap in Shanghai.
His consistency and composure carried him to an impressive fourth place in the Drivers’ Championship, climbing as high as second mid-season. Praised by his team and supported by teammate Sam Bird, Barnard’s breakthrough year showcased maturity and speed far beyond his age, marking him as one of Formula E’s most exciting rising stars.
DS Penske is delighted to announce the signing of 21-year-old British driver Taylor Barnard, who will join the team for the 2025/26 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship (Season 12) alongside seasoned race winner Maximilian Günther.
Barnard’s first race in new colours will come at Round 1 in Season 12 in Sao Paulo this December, where he looks to make an instant impression under the DS Penske name.