When Taylor Barnard was promoted to a full-time drive with NEOM McLaren at the start of the 2024/25 Formula E season, we knew we had a promising young talent on our hands. 

But what we saw across the season was far from a rookie performance. With five podiums, two Poles – making him the youngest driver in Formula E history to achieve both – and a fourth place finish in the Drivers’ Championship, this newcomer drove like a veteran, impressing everyone along the way. 

“Looking back on the season, it's definitely been a good time for me,” Taylor says. “Fourth in the Drivers’ Championship at the end of the year, when we could have been fighting for second, is slightly disappointing, but I have to say, it's been mega for my rookie season.” 

That minor disappointment is reflective of Taylor’s rapid growth and achievements this year. Despite not finishing those two Championship places higher, he still feels the season exceeded the aims he set for himself at the start of the campaign. 

“My targets were to just score points and pick up a podium, if possible,” he says. “Obviously, I exceeded that with five podiums and quite a few more points than I expected, so I can safely say that I exceeded my own expectations.” 

Breaking records and ‘the best lap in my career’ 

Looking at standout moments from the year, the Jeddah E-Prix immediately jumps out. As the home race of the team’s Title Partner NEOM, expectations were high, but they didn’t weigh too heavily on young Taylor’s shoulders. He claimed a maiden Pole on Sunday and finished on the podium in both races.  

“In Jeddah, I became the youngest driver in Formula E history to take Pole and two podiums in the same weekend, in my third and fourth rounds as a professional racing driver,” he recalls. “It was a very good weekend for me, very successful.” 

It was doubtlessly a major success and a stand-out result for the team, but another moment stands out to Taylor as even more memorable.  

“The one that sticks out the most is probably the Monaco Pole,” he says. “That was the best lap of my career so far. So, for me personally, that does sit differently.” 

The master and the apprentice 

While he wasn't able to convert that Pole into another podium, he did pick up more silverware in Tokyo and Shanghai, adding to the Jeddah double and the third place he secured in the season opener in São Paulo. But while Brazil brought him that first rostrum appearance, it also thrust him into the spotlight for the first time. 

“I think Brazil was a little bit uncomfortable for me, as I wasn’t used to it, but when I look back on that, it’s quite funny now,” Taylor says, explaining how it felt to stand on the podium for the first time. 

Sam followed him home on track, finishing the race in P4 and offering words of encouragement over the radio, which he continued to do all season, using his vast experience to assist and mentor the burgeoning young talent.  

“When I joined the team, Sam was very welcoming,” Taylor says. “I'm sure the amount of questions I asked got quite annoying at times, but he's been super helpful. And when I scored the first podium in Brazil, he was down there cheering for me.  

“I think that explains our relationship. It's definitely been a great time working with him. He's been the best teammate I've had in my career, and I'm sure I will have for a long time. 

“I've shared many great memories with Sam, with the team, with everybody, all of the podiums, all of the images I have in my head of standing up there looking into the crowd and seeing all of the team cheering for me. Those images will stay with me forever.” 

Growing on track, and off it 

As the curtain draws on Taylor’s rookie season, it also does for NEOM McLaren’s time in Formula E. Taylor has grown with the team in that time, joining as Reserve and Development Driver at the start of Season 10, then standing in for Sam in Berlin in 2024, before becoming a fully-fledged driver for the team’s final season. 

“They gave me the opportunity to grow as a Reserve and Development Driver, and then, of course, they gave me the opportunity to be a full-time race driver, which was always my dream,” Taylor says. “To do it with the amazing group of people that is NEOM McLaren was obviously a great pleasure. I'll be forever grateful for that opportunity.” 

Reflecting on his start with the team, Taylor adds that it was “surreal” to be greeted by McLaren’s illustrious history on his first day. 

“To be walking around the MTC, to see all of the history, see all the cars for the first time, that was very touching and very special to me,” he says. “I remember the first few filming days that we had, when I was perhaps not as well-spoken as I am now. That's part of the growing process, and something that I've learned a lot this year, and that's a massive testament to everybody in the team, in all departments.” 

That growth has been a big part of Taylor’s year. While his impressive performances on track have been obvious to anyone watching Formula E, NEOM McLaren provided him with the environment to flourish both on and off it. 

“I'd say I changed quite a lot for the better,” he says. “I'm now more confident with the media side of things. I'm a lot better, or at least it feels like it.

Taylor Barnard started NEOM McLaren’s third and final Formula E season as the new kid on the block, but ended it as an established star 

“Obviously, my confidence on track is a lot better. I've grown a lot as a driver, throughout the season, working with the engineers. I feel like my communication with everyone has gotten a lot better.  

“There's no one aspect where I've necessarily grown more than others. It's been a progressive learning curve throughout the year in every single area, and it's a massive testament to everybody in all departments.” 

Taylor and the team experienced plenty of ups and downs during their season racing together, not least at the final two events of the year, where a pair of strong points finishes in Berlin were followed by two non-scoring rounds in London.  

The ability to ride the ups and downs is a skill he and the team developed over the course of three years on the Formula E rollercoaster, living by the old-school mantra ‘never too high, never too low’.   

“They've been the most amazing group of people that I've ever worked with, and I'm sure that I will work with for a very long time,” he says. “The atmosphere in the garage is amazing, and obviously, when everything's going well, that makes everything much better.  

“But even through the tough times, everyone's still so positive and ambitious, and everyone pushes each other forward. I don't think I could have asked for a better group of people for my first season. 

“Obviously, Berlin was pretty successful. London, not so much. But to share these moments with this group of people who are very close to me meant a lot. We achieved more success this season than we all expected, which makes it all the better.” 

As his time with NEOM McLaren concluded in the final two events of the season in London, it was important to Taylor that he was joined by his family and friends.   

“I had extended family in London, which was very nice,” he says. “For them to see the tail end of the season, and for us to all reflect on the season I've had, even though it was a tough time in London, was a nice experience. I'm very grateful that I can share the moments with my family.” 

Reflecting and looking forward 

With the season now over, it’s an ideal time for reflection, but how will Taylor look back on this season 20 years from now? 

“This will stick with me for the rest of my life,” he says. “Obviously, it's been a great rookie season, with such a great group of people. 

“This was my first full season in Formula E, and I’ve grown in confidence. There have been so many positive emotions across the year, and this will act as a benchmark for me for the future.” 

McLaren’s time in Formula E may be coming to an end, but Taylor has the tools to build on his time in papaya and continue to go from strength to strength as he takes the next steps in his career.  

“There's not one day that I'll forget, whether that be my first or my last. It's been an incredible journey, and I don't think it's fair to pick one day over others,” he says. 

“Without the opportunity that McLaren have given me, I wouldn’t be viewed as the driver that I am. I want to say a massive thank you to everybody, not just for the season, but for the opportunity. It's been an absolute honour, which I'll cherish for the rest of my career.”