
Getting to know the real Sam Bird
Puppy hotels, protein bars and pizza: behind the visor of our NEOM McLaren Formula E driver

In his first season with the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, we learned that Sam Bird was seriously quick and capable of dramatic last-lap race wins, but how much do we know about him away from the track?
Ahead of his second season with the team, we sat down with Sam to gain a glimpse into his life outside of the cockpit. During our conversation, we discussed his love of dogs, his golf handicap and the story of how he nearly played a very different sport...
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in a place called Twickenham, UK. How would I describe it? Down the road from the best rugby stadium in the world.
I grew up there, but I don't really remember much about it. I would say that I see my first home, which I properly remember, as a place called Walton-on-Thames in Surrey. It was cool and I enjoyed it. I thought the house was massive at the time, but looking back, it was just a tiny little cottage – maybe that’s because I was absolutely tiny as a person, so everything was relative! It’s just down the road from here [The McLaren Technology Centre].

What is your most treasured possession?
That would probably be the oldest thing that I own, which was given to me by my grandad. It's a long story, but basically, I was given a blue pony by my grandad. I never got to meet my grandad because he died within hours of me being born, in the same hospital where I was born. He had a heart attack, so I sadly never got to meet him, but he gave me a blue pony, called Pony, which is a cuddly toy.
The others would of course be my two dogs, Buddy and Bear. One is a cavapoo and the other a golden doodle. They're mega. Bear looks like a bear and acts like a bear – he’s an idiot and I love him to death.
What is your dream birthday cake?
I would probably say the birthday cake-flavoured protein bar. I would want a giant birthday cake-flavoured birthday cake protein bar. That'd be fine with me.
What is your favourite hobby away from the track?
Golf.
What's your golf handicap?
I'm playing with around 11, 12.

Who are your best friends in racing?
Probably a guy called Duncan Tappy. I've known him forever. We grew up going through the ranks together and have raced against each other. Unfortunately, we haven't been able to see each other much this year as we’ve both been busy doing other things, but if I pick up the phone with him, it's super easy.
Do you have a favourite cheat meal?
Pizza. None in particular, just pizza. Cram it in and keep going until you feel like you're going to burst, you need to lie down, and breathing is difficult. That's when you know you've hit your limit.
If you weren’t a race car driver, what would your job be?
At one point I had to choose between racing and football, but I'd always wanted to be in sports. I love sport, I could watch it all day. It doesn't matter what it is, if there's competition, I love it.
Were you any good at football?
I played for the South of England, ISFA (Independent Schools Football Association), and Wimbledon, so I was okay. I was left-footed, so that helped.

What is the best thing about being a racing driver?
The best thing about being a racing driver is the fact that I'm doing something I absolutely love. I think that is very important. We get one shot of life, don't we? It isn’t like we can rewind and redo it. I was able to choose something in life that I love and thankfully I'm quite good at. I would implore everybody and anybody to find something that they love and go after it and try and do that for their job because you will enjoy life more.
If you don't enjoy your job, find something you enjoy, and go after something that you love. Okay, the money might be less, or it might be more difficult to attain, but you'll be happier.
What is your ideal holiday destination?
Somewhere that I don't have to talk to anybody and just be on my own!
Is there anything fans wouldn't know about you?
I would genuinely open a dog hotel. I would have 100 golden retriever puppies running around and people could just come and pay to play with the puppies. Maybe I'm a bit dog mad. Although, people might already know this, because of the dog bedding and all the pictures of dogs - it might be a bit obsessive!
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