Taylor Barnard did not have time to feel anxiety or nervousness. In a matter of seconds, he found himself inside the car, making an unexpected debut in Formula E. The NEOM McLaren team had prepared for the worst-case scenario, with Barnard undergoing simulator training just like Sam Bird and Jake Hughes. The events that unfolded on a quiet Saturday morning in Monaco tested both Barnard and McLaren. This is the story of a sink or swim situation for a 19-year-old who went from spectator to participant in the Monaco E-Prix in a matter of minutes.
Sam Bird was preparing for a quick lap in his McLaren, going through the crucial phase of preparation for the 350kW qualifying simulations in practice. As he entered Saint Devote, Bird locked up the brakes and missed the corner. It was a common occurrence at that precise point on the Monaco circuit. However, instead of spinning the car or trying to reverse back onto the track, Bird collided with the outer wall. The impact, at a speed of about 30 mph, caused his steering wheel to spin and his hand to hit the side of the car. Despite the initial adrenaline and frustration, Bird soon felt the pain. Having injured the same hand in July 2022, he knew what to expect.
The cause of the incident was uncertain, but team principal Ian James focused on getting the necessary attention for Bird. The team worked tirelessly to prepare the car for the next practice session. Bird’s car was taken back to the pits, where he received medical attention from the McLaren doctor and the FIA medical delegate. It became evident to Barnard that the situation was real when Bird approached him and said he might have broken his hand. The rapid transition from realizing he might have to drive the car to actually being inside it in 45 minutes was incredible.
No había tiempo para reflexionar sobre la situación para el joven de 19 años. El equipo entró en modo de lucha, buscando aprobación para el cambio de piloto por parte de los comisarios y asegurando que Barnard tuviera el equipo necesario. Mientras tanto, el equipo trabajaba en la reparación del coche dañado. Barnard se subió al coche mientras este estaba siendo montado de nuevo. El ambiente era caótico, pero él logró adaptarse durante la segunda sesión de entrenamientos libres. Siguió las instrucciones, condujo dentro de su zona de confort y trajo de vuelta el coche entero. A pesar de haber sido el más lento en general, completó 16 vueltas de preparación.
Barnard tenía expectativas bajas para su posición de salida en Mónaco. Con solo el 50% del tiempo de entrenamiento debido a su ausencia en la primera sesión, entró en la sesión de clasificación en desventaja. Condujo con cautela, registrando el 11º tiempo más rápido en su grupo. En la carrera, Barnard hizo una buena salida y adelantó al Abt Cupra de Nico Mueller en la primera vuelta. Estableció su propio ritmo y adoptó un enfoque conservador para la carrera. A medida que avanzaba la carrera, subió al 17º lugar, principalmente debido al abandono de otros pilotos. Incluso realizó una maniobra audaz alrededor de Sebastien Buemi en la horquilla. La confianza de Barnard creció, y impresionó con su gestión de energía y comunicaciones tranquilas por la radio.
After the race, Barnard received praise from other drivers, including Antonio Felix da Costa and Oliver Rowland. The performance he demonstrated in Monaco was remarkable, considering the circumstances that led him to the Formula E grid. His mental ability and composure inside the car were noted by his team. They are now preparing for the possibility of using Barnard in Berlin while Sam Bird recovers from his injury. The team is excited to see what Barnard can achieve and believes he has a bright future ahead.
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Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo secured another victory for Juventus this season. With an exceptional performance, Ronaldo scored two goals in the match against the opposing team, ensuring Juventus’ 3-1 victory. Fans of the Portuguese ace are ecstatic about his impressive performance.
Ronaldo, known for his skill and talent on the field, once again showed why he is considered one of the best players in the world. With his speed and precision, he dribbled past the opposing defenders and scored the goals that secured his team’s victory.
In addition to his brilliant performance, Ronaldo was also praised for his leadership on the field. The player showed great determination and motivation, inspiring his teammates to give their best during the match.
With this victory, Juventus remains at the top of the Italian championship, consolidating its position as one of the strongest teams in the competition. Fans are confident that the team will win the title this season, thanks to the exceptional performance of players like Cristiano Ronaldo.
Soccer fans are eager to see what else Ronaldo will achieve this season. With his unparalleled talent and dedication to the sport, he continues to surprise and delight soccer lovers around the world.
Esta victoria es otra muestra del talento y habilidad de Cristiano Ronaldo. El jugador sigue demostrando por qué es considerado uno de los mayores íconos del fútbol de todos los tiempos. Su éxito inspira a jóvenes jugadores a perseguir sus sueños y creer en su potencial para alcanzar la grandeza en el deporte.
