Sam Bird fulfilled a childhood dream when he signed with the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team in August 2023, in a move that saw one of Formula E’s biggest names link up with one of motorsport’s most iconic names.

Growing up a stone’s throw away from the McLaren Racing HQ in Woking, Sam began his single-seater racing career in Formula BMW in 2004, finishing as runner-up in the series in 2005. On his rise up the junior motorsport ladder, he won races in Formula Renault, British Formula 3, and GP2, which earned him F1 reserve roles at Williams and Mercedes.

After finishing as vice-champion in the 2013 GP2 Series, Sam embarked on his first senior racing role, joining the World Endurance Championship (WEC) grid for 2014. Success followed as he won the LMP2 class in 2015 with G-Drive Racing, and finished second in the LMGTE Pro class with AF Corse in 2016.

When an all-new, all-electric racing series, Formula E, was announced to launch in 2014, Sam was among its inaugural drivers, making his Formula E debut in Season 1 (2014/15). The British racer competed in each of its first 11 seasons, claiming 12 wins, 27 podiums, and six Pole positions, making him one of the series’ most successful drivers.

Having grown up near McLaren’s factory, Sam had always dreamt of driving for his local team, and ahead of Season 10, he was announced as René Rast’s replacement at the NEOM McLaren Formula E team.

Sam spent two seasons with the team and famously clinched McLaren Racing’s first electric racing victory, winning the São Paulo E-Prix with a dramatic last-lap overtake. This earned him the Formula E Action of the Year award at the 2024 FIA prize-giving ceremony.