Discover more
Despite having only three race outings in the GEN3 car before landing a full-time seat, the 20-year old silenced any doubts with a podium in the season opener in Sao Paolo. Since then, he’s racked up five podiums and 112 points, and now stands on the brink of finishing just behind his mentor, newly-crowned World Champion Oliver Rowland.
Since stepping in for the injured Sam Bird in Season 10, where he became the youngest points scorer in Formula E history to finish on the front row, Barnard has defied expectations at every turn.
Reflecting on his early goals, he said: "My goals were to score a few points and pick up a podium if I could, but I've had five, two pole positions, and I've been very close to a couple of wins. I think I have exceeded my expectations and quite a lot of other people as well."
Only a few rookies in the championship’s history have made such a splash in their debut season. Among them are Lucas Di Grassi and Nelson Piquet Jr., both who exceeded all expectations, and now Barnard looks poised to join the elite company.
"To be amongst them and fighting for second in the championship, it's great," says the Brit. "I try not to get involved with the maths, it's for the engineers to do.
"It won't change my approach to qualifying or even the races, because in every race I try to win and do my best. The numbers would add pressure or things in my head that I don't need to think about."
With just a 13-point gap to Pascal Wehrlein, Barnard is embracing the challenge ahead on home turf in London just as he embraced the start of his season: with no undue pressure placed upon himself.
"This weekend is very tough. Looking at our package at this track is probably not the best, as I have said at multiple events this year, where I got a podium.
"I hope for more podiums, a solidified top three in the championship, and it's NEOM McLaren's last race in the championship. So, for myself in the Driver's World Championship, and for the team, they deserve a good send-off."
SCHEDULE: Where, when and how to watch or stream the 2025 Marvel Fantastic Four London E-Prix Rounds 15 & 16
Free Practice 1: 16:00 local (15:00 UTC), Friday 25 July
Free Practice 2: 10:00, (09:00 UTC) Saturday 26 July
Qualifying: 12:20 (11:20 UTC), Saturday 26 July
Round 13: 17:00 (16:00 UTC), Saturday 26 July
Free Practice 3: 10:00, (09:00 UTC) Sunday 27 July
Qualifying: 12:20 (11:20 UTC), Sunday 27 July
Round 14: 17:00 (16:00 UTC), Sunday 27 July
Find out more
CALENDAR: Sync the dates and don't miss a lap of Season 11
WATCH: Find out where to watch every Formula E race via stream or on TV in your country
TICKETS: Secure your grandstand seats and buy Formula E race tickets
SCHEDULE: Here's every race of the 2024/25 Formula E season
HIGHLIGHTS: Catch up with every race from all 10 seasons of Formula E IN FULL
PREDICTOR: Get involved, predict race results and win exclusive prizes
HOSPITALITY: Experience Formula E and world class motorsport as a VIP
FOLLOW: Download the Formula E App on iOS or Android