Anhembi Sambadrome, Saturday, 7 December

Hear from NEOM McLaren Formula E Team drivers Taylor Barnard and Sam Bird, and Team Principal Ian James after the São Paulo E-Prix.

“Today’s race was absolutely crazy. Sam and I were at the back at one point, so to finish third and fourth for the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team is fantastic – especially in my first race as a full-time driver in the championship.  

“To secure my first podium – I am speechless. A huge thank you to the team for the great strategy that helped us cross the line where we did. A strong way to start the season, and hopefully lots more of these results to come.” 

"We’ve just finished the race here in São Paulo – and what a rollercoaster of a day it’s been for the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team. I’m pleased to say that the result was a good one for us as a team, with Taylor getting his first-ever Formula E podium. I’m delighted for him, he’s worked very hard in the off-season and he thoroughly deserved it.  

“I finished in P4 - we played it smart. I didn’t want to put him under any unnecessary pressure and wanted him to get that podium. We’ve brought home a great haul of points for the team and we leave Brazil in a good position in both the Drivers’ and Teams’ Championships. The season is just beginning, but it’s always nice to get points on the board early.” 

“At the end of a particularly chaotic start to Season 11, we’re very pleased to have brought home not only a podium, with Taylor becoming the youngest-ever podium finisher with his P3, but also Sam’s P4 finish – a good haul of points for the team. The drivers managed the chaos with a maturity and composure which is to be applauded. 

“Having said that, as a team, we’ve experienced a weekend that was not to the level of operational excellence that we expect of ourselves. Therefore, we’re going to be working hard to ensure that we take the learnings from this event so that we don’t have the same issues going into Mexico.  

“It’s clear that the package as a whole has good potential, but it’s also clear that at the start of the GEN3 Evo era, this racing is close as ever, and the competition is going to be fierce. Bring it on.”