This week, the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team will be heading to Japan for the eighth and ninth rounds of Season 11.

Sam, Taylor and Team Principal Ian James are here to help us prepare for the event. As well as hearing from the team, we’ll also be explaining some key FE terminology, recapping the season so far, and catching up with a team member on their priorities this weekend.

Key info

“I’m going into this Tokyo race week with high expectations. Of course, the last couple of race weekends haven’t been the best in terms of end results, but the pace and potential of the package has been amazing. We’ve had a Pole position and showcased our speed throughout the Free Practice sessions.

“Heading into Tokyo, we know we’ve got the car, we know we’ve got the team, and we know we’ve got the pace. As a team, we’ll be going full force and will be aiming for the big points in this Tokyo double-header.”

“I’m looking forward to the double-header in Tokyo this weekend. After a run of races where we haven’t maximised our points haul, it’s a very important weekend for us as a team.

“Monaco was a big disappointment, and with such a competitive grid this season, we must keep working hard to make the most of every opportunity to score points. We know that we have a very competitive and fast car, so I’m laser focused for Tokyo and eager to deliver the results the team deserves.”

“This weekend marks the second Tokyo E-Prix in Formula E history, and what a pleasure it is to be back in this vibrant city.

“We’re very much looking forward to making our way to Tokyo, home to our partners TDK and Trend Micro, and a home race for our powertrain supplier, Nissan. We do so off the back of a challenging week in Monaco, where we left the Principality with only three points. The pace of the car and the competitiveness of this team was demonstrated by a brilliant Pole position from Taylor. However, we did not manage to translate that into points during either race that weekend.

“In the meantime, the team has been working hard, learning from the challenges in previous events to prepare for the fight ahead. We are in the middle of a period of three busy race events – six races in total – which provide us with ample opportunity to score points and fight our way back up the pack. I am confident in this team and the strength of our package – we need to continuously strive for operational excellence. I relish the opportunity to improve our Championship position, and I know the team and our drivers are well-prepared for what lies ahead.”

The season so far

After a sensational Pole position in Qualifying on Saturday for Taylor Barnard - his second of the season so far - both rounds of the Monaco E-Prix ended in disappointment. Taylor’s race was undone on Saturday as he fell victim to a collision with another car, while Sam was unable to make it into the points from P12.  

After a difficult Qualifying on Sunday, Sam and Taylor started the second race from the back of the grid and P16, respectively. They were both unable to climb the field, as an aggressive strategy failed to pay off. We are now fifth in the Teams’ standings, but just six points off fourth.

FEducation: Qualifying

Our aim is to ensure everyone is as equipped as possible to follow Season 11, so whether you’re new to following Formula E or a long-time fan, we’ll be explaining some of the series’ most complicated terminology, jargon, acronyms, and technical terms to aid your understanding. This week, it’s Qualifying.

Formula E uses a multi-stage knockout format, but with a twist.

Drivers are split into two groups of 11 based on Championship position - odd numbers in Group A, even in Group B. The four fastest drivers from each group progress into the knockouts, where they are pitted against one another in head-to-head duels. The four winners progress into the semi-finals, eliminating each other until only two remain.  

The finalists then go head-to-head, with the quickest around one lap taking Pole and the three points that come with it. Those who made the knockout rounds will line up in the order they were eliminated, e.g. the quickest eliminated semi-finalist will start third, with the quarter-finalists in fifth to eighth - according to their lap times.

The drivers that competed in the polesitter's group, but didn't make the knockouts, will fill the remaining odd positions on the grid. The corresponding drivers from the other group will then fill in the even grid slots.

What to watch out for in Tokyo

Each weekend, we’ll catch up with a different member of the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team and ask them what their priorities are for the upcoming E-Prix. This weekend, we’ve spoken with Operations Coordinator Jodie Warrington.

“In short, my day-to-day role within the business primarily revolves around the turnaround and servicing of car parts in preparation for the next event. This includes stock management, preparing invoices, and organising any freight requirements. Forward planning is key to my role: we have a lot of conversations in pre-season and make decisions as far in advance as we can.

“The biggest challenge during the busiest parts of the season is getting parts turned around and serviced within brief windows of time, which can be as short as 72 hours. This is especially difficult in Formula E because all the teams use the same suppliers. You have to plan ahead and anticipate worst-case scenarios so that when you experience a tricky race, such as Monaco, and the turnaround of parts is higher, you are prepared for this.

“Over a race weekend, I will manage the stock levels to ensure we have all the parts we need and are staying within budget. I will also arrange for the return of the freight to the UK. At an event, I also take on the role of Team Coordinator, managing time schedules, travel and logistics. This is pretty much what it says on the tin: making sure everyone has all the support and info that they need to ensure the week runs smoothly from an operational point of view.

“We are in Japan this weekend, where it is notoriously difficult to get car parts into the country, so I was busy in the lead-up to the event. The time difference in Japan is also an issue for everyone who is out there, so we need to make sure the team gets as much sleep as they can and prioritises their wellbeing.”

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