Tokyo, Saturday, 17 May

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

“It feels amazing to be back on the podium in Tokyo this weekend. After a poor start in FP1 yesterday, we bounced back strongly to finish P4 in FP2 this morning. With Qualifying being cancelled, that put me fourth on the grid. After an eventful start to the race, I couldn’t be happier to stand on the podium right now.”

“For me, it was a disappointing day. I think we showed plenty of speed and potential. Unfortunately, a trip through an escape road ruined my race, but there’s plenty of positives to take from it. Our pace in the wet was pretty strong.

“Getting a load of points from Taylor and another podium was awesome, so congratulations to the whole NEOM McLaren Formula E Team. We have another race ahead of us tomorrow, so we go again.”

“The weather here in Tokyo promised to deliver a challenging, exciting race – and boy, did it deliver! The team managed the situation with composure, which allowed us to control every element that remained within our control. Taylor’s drive in particular was outstanding and the podium thoroughly deserved. For Sam, a solid drive into the points was undermined by a mistake into the chicane, along with the subsequent penalty.
 
“Tomorrow we go again. With different weather [dry] and no Pit Boost, it will be a different race entirely… but we’ll be looking to fight back at the front.”