Taylor Barnard is making it loud and clear—his first Formula E win is coming soon. After a sensational weekend in Jeddah, the NEOM McLaren rookie surged into second place in the championship, proving he’s already a serious contender in his first full-time season.
With a third-place finish on Friday, pole position on Saturday, and a runner-up finish in the second race, Barnard walked away from Saudi Arabia with three podiums from four races—a dream start for a driver who was only a stand-in last season.
“It’s not far away,” Barnard said confidently. “I think I’m just collecting all of the colors at the moment, but that’s definitely my target. When the car can do it, I’ll definitely do my best. The focus for myself at the moment is just to keep scoring these big points. It’s important for myself and for the team, and it will come.”
Rising Fast: Barnard’s Championship Surge
Few expected the 20-year-old to be sitting second in the Formula E standings this early in the season. But with three podiums in four races, Barnard has put himself on the same level as current championship leader Oliver Rowland, who has also secured two wins and a second place.
Even Barnard himself was surprised by his incredible form.
“Coming into this weekend, I didn’t expect to take home three trophies and a lot of points,” he admitted. “I couldn’t have asked for much better. The team have done a great job, given me a great car, and I’ve managed to execute.”
Why Barnard Couldn’t Convert Pole to a Win in Jeddah
While Maximilian Guenther converted pole position into a victory on Friday, Barnard found himself facing a tougher challenge on Saturday. The second race required more energy-saving, and the absence of Pit Boost made it impossible to maintain the lead from start to finish.
“Today was such a different race compared to yesterday,” Barnard explained. “We have to recover and regenerate 10 percent more energy than yesterday, so I knew keeping the lead for the whole race was going to be almost impossible.”
Despite needing to drop back and conserve energy, Barnard still managed to fight back and secure second place—a result that left him more than satisfied.
“I could do it, just … just hold on to second. Starting from pole and finishing second, I’m super happy.”
What’s Next? Barnard Eyes the Top Step of the Podium
With his first win now within reach, Barnard has established himself as one of the breakout stars of Formula E. His rapid rise and ability to execute under pressure have put NEOM McLaren in a strong position early in the season.
With momentum building and his confidence at an all-time high, Barnard’s first victory seems inevitable.
The only question now is: when will the young star finally stand on the top step of the podium?
