Season 11 has had an incredibly impressive start for Taylor Barnard, with the rookie fighting for podiums and searching for his maiden victory at the Formula E in Monaco.
Taylor Barnard made his debut in Formula E at Monaco after Sam Bird broke his hand and was unable to compete in the race. Despite his debut being incredibly last minute, with very little preparation, he managed to finish the race in 14th come race day.
However, a year on from his debut and Barnard tells a very different story in his performances. The rookie sits fourth in the championship with three podiums to his name.
The results have come with records, as the youngest polesitter, points scorer, and podium finisher. But despite voices around the paddock expressing their hopes for the rookie, he told Fastest Formula News at the Monaco E-Prix media day that he feels ‘comfortable’ and doesn’t let the pressure affect him.
He said, “I feel quite comfortable right now. For sure, now I’ve, you know, put this kind of…how do I say it? I’ve put this performance out there now that people know I can do it.”
“So, not to say that it will be expected from me every weekend, but it’s not going to be acceptable to not do that again.”
Barnard emphasised the importance of the team around him and the support that they have given to him from his debut at Monaco last year. He said, “I feel like I have the resources. I have the team and I have everything around me to be able to perform and to do that kind of performance every weekend.”
Missed chances at Miami
The majority of races at the start of the season have gone from strength to strength for McLaren. Last year, they ended the season in seventh, with 101 points. This year, they have already accrued 67 points. Easily on track to beat their Season 10 tally.
However, McLaren’s near-perfect weekend-to-weekend performances faltered momentarily in Miami. With a difficult qualifying, Barnard started the race in 11th. However, Barnard himself admitted that more opportunities were on the table when it came to the race.
He told FFN, “Miami, again, was going to be one of them weekends where we could have capitalised and had a very great weekend. Qualifying didn’t go our way.”
“There was dirt on the track and some other issues. And then the race, I was in P5 at one point, still good on energy, and I just slipped away again from us.”
When looking ahead to Monaco, the young Brit saw no reason not to find himself back at the front of the grid.
“But I think so far this season has been very quick, very efficient. So, I don’t see why this weekend or any other weekend will be any different.”
A maiden win for Monaco
While last year was a quick dash into the seat of the NEOM McLaren FE for Barnard, this year has had far more preparation involved. He said, “The preparation’s been great so far. I’ve been here since Tuesday, so I’ve actually already done a track walk, which is quite nice.”
“Yeah, I mean, I feel well-prepared. I feel I’m on a pretty good streak at the moment, even though Miami was not what we wanted. I don’t see why we won’t be fast, but things need to go our way, and we just need to put everything together.”
Although Barnard has clinched an impressive three podiums so far this season, he is yet to take his maiden win. He’s had a few close calls but has yet to take the top step, and is eager for that jump.
He said, “It definitely could be this weekend. I mean, like I said, we’ve had the pace all year so far, we’ve had the efficiency, we’ve had everything. We’ve got the minerals to do it, for sure. We just need to be in a position where we can put it together and capitalise on a victory.”
“Whether that’s this weekend or this would be just another weekend of good points and a good showing of pace, which I’m also fine with. As long as I keep scoring good, consistent points, that’s what matters at the end of the season.”
But the Brit was clear that if the opportunity arose, he wouldn’t hesitate to take it.
“If we’re in a position to take the win, then for sure I’m going for it.”
