Sam Bird | Formula E

Join Formula E

Sign in or create your Formula E account

It's quick, easy and free to sign up

You'll get access to:

  • Helmet

    News. Analysis. Exclusive Features

  • Schedule

    Priority Booking. Early Bird Pricing

  • Trophy

    Competitions. Discounts. Experiences

  • Podium

    Predict. Vote. Win.

Sam Bird
  • Date of Birth
    09/01/1987
  • Age
    37
  • Nationality
    Great Britain
  • Debut Race
    2014 Beijing E-Prix
Sam Bird moves to NEOM McLaren for Season 10. As one of the few drivers to have raced in Formula E since its inception, can the papaya squad tap into the Brit's experience to reach the the top step in 2023/24?

Bird first appeared on the karting scene in 2002 aged 15. Following a successful two-year stint racing karts competitively in the UK and Europe, the British driver won a scholarship to race in the inaugural season of Formula BMW with Carlin Motorsport, ending the year with three wins as one of the top rookie drivers.

Bird remained in Formula BMW for a second season, eventually finishing as championship runner-up. He also joined forces with Mercedes F1 for the Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi and was named their Reserve Driver for the 2011 season, helping the team with testing throughout the 2012 and 2013 seasons. 

Bird joined Virgin Racing for the ABB FIA Formula E Championship in its inaugural year in 2014. The Brit drove for the outfit until Season 7, with his best season coming in 2017/18 where he finished third and challenged for the drivers' title against DS Techeetah's Jean-Eric Vergne and Audi Sport Abt Schaeffler's Lucas di Grassi.

Between the first and the fourth season, the British driver found himself in the final round of the series with a slim mathematical chance of winning the championship that ultimately didn't come to pass.

In his sixth season, the Brit once again partnered with teammate Robin Frijns. After exploding out of the blocks with a victory at the first round in Diriyah, Bird saw his efforts marred by bad luck, with two DNFs in opening five races. Unable to recapture that glory, the Brit made one more appearance on the podium taking third place in the opening race of six in Berlin and ended the season in 10th.

It was all-change for Bird heading into his seventh season, with a switch to Jaguar TCS Racing. The Brit won in Diriyah on debut for the famous British marque and produced a stunning zero-to-hero drive in New York City after a practice shunt. However, his title challenge ended with a blank in London and issues in Berlin, seeing him finish the season in sixth.

Season 8 was undoubtedly the Brit’s most disappointing to date. Just 13th in the standings and 51 points was a surprise. Even more of a shock was that the ultra-experienced Formula E head failed to win in a season for the very first time and never even made it onto the podium.

The beginning of the GEN3 era saw a change in fortunes for the Roehampton-born driver, who claimed four podiums, including a P2 in Berlin. In what would be his final season at Jaguar, Bird improved on his Season 8 form, finishing eighth in the championship with 95 points.

For Season 10, Bird replaced the departing René Rast and joined NEOM McLaren Formula E team. The move has so far paid dividends as Formula E fans finally saw him back on the top step of the podium, after a scintillating drive in round four in São Paulo