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If McLaren is one of motorsport’s most iconic names, Sam Bird is the same for Formula E. As one of the championship’s original drivers, he’s among those who have started – and won – the most races.
Bird grew up a stone’s throw away from the McLaren Racing HQ in Woking and says his time with NEOM McLaren has been the realisation of a childhood dream.
“As a Surrey boy, born and bred, McLaren was the home team,” the Brit points out. “They were literally a few miles down the road from where I was living. I lived in West Byfleet when I really got the racing bug, so McLaren has always been a team that I've wanted to be a part of.
“It was a dream come true to finally wear these colours, to have this name on my shirt, and I've worn it with pride.”
Familiar surroundings and a “revelation” on the other side of the garage
Not only was McLaren’s location familiar to Bird, but he also knew several of those already working within the team, including his long-time Race Engineer, Stephen Lane, who had been with him at Envision Racing.
“It's meant the world having people like Stephen Lane working on my car again, and Chris Brown, who is on the other side of the garage,” he says. “These are people that I've worked with over the last 11 years.
“To have some familiar faces when I joined was always really lovely, but they've been employed by NEOM McLaren for a reason – and that's because they're the best at what they do.”
Ahead of his second season at NEOM McLaren, Bird welcomed a new driver into the fold, as Taylor Barnard stepped up to a full-time race seat, being promoted from his role as Reserve and Development Driver in Season 10.
The blend of youth and experience between Sam and his rookie teammate saw the 38-year-old take on a mentoring role with the youngster, who developed into one of Formula E’s fastest racers over the course of Season 11. Reflecting on Taylor’s performances, Bird said proudly: “Taylor Barnard has been a revelation.”
“In my eyes, and probably in most people's eyes, he's been the most impressive rookie in Formula E's short history so far, which is quite something.
“Of all the drivers that have come through Formula E, I don't think any rookie has come in as unestablished as a driver but with such raw pace and announced themselves on the world stage like he's done. He's been phenomenal.
“His raw speed is superb, and he's proven himself as a really gritty, gutsy racer. He's ruffled some feathers. I know that there are some drivers out there who have taken a little bit unkindly to the way that he races, but there's nothing wrong with it. He's there to do a job, and he does it brilliantly.”
A win to remember
Bird made history in Season 10 when he became McLaren’s first race winner in an all-electric series, claiming a dramatic last-lap victory in São Paulo. It was also his 12th in the series, and will go down as a significant moment for both team and driver.
“It felt phenomenal,” he says. “I think at the time, you don't realise quite what you did and how big a moment that was, because I've won with many different teams.
“But it was important for me to get a win, and to do it first for such a massive team. Looking back, it was a very special moment. It was a moment in time that the team had longed for, and I'm so proud that I was able to deliver it for them.”
We came close to adding to that win tally on numerous occasions, with seven other podium finishes over our three years in Formula E, five from Taylor in the last season alone, but fell narrowly short of reaching the top step for a second time.
“I think Taylor deserved a win, and I think from my side of the garage, we deserved more of these trophies,” he says. “We may have only ended up with one win, but it was a great day and an amazing memory that will last for everybody here. This win is most certainly for every single person in the team.
“This wasn't just my win, it was everybody's. It's very special, and I'm honoured and privileged to have gotten it, but in my opinion, we had opportunities to get more.
“I’m happy, but also sad at the same time that we didn't deliver more, because this team deserved so much more than just one win.”
Another goodbye, or is it?
As NEOM McLaren departs Formula E, Bird's future in the category is less certain. He might be done, but he’s not willing to fully close the door just yet.
“Well, hopefully I’m not done yet,” he says. “I'm not saying that I’m done yet. So far, it's been an incredible journey. There's been 11 great years, 12 wins, and 27 podiums, it's been a brilliant journey.
“Formula E gave me a career when I thought my career was over, all those years ago. I've loved being a part of it, watching Formula E grow, being a part of three different teams that I hold in high regard, and I’ve loved every minute of it so far.”
‘So far…’ - It's clear Bird's fire still burns bright, but if it is to be a farewell, he’s got plenty of fond memories to look back on.
“It's been a journey where I've made friends, I've laughed, I've cried, I’ve had challenging times, and euphoric times,” he recalls. “Racing is a journey in itself, and I've enjoyed riding that wave of emotion throughout the course of my time so far in Formula E.”
Picking a stand-out moment from those times is tough, although the win in São Paulo does stand out.
“There's 12 highlights,” he says, referring to his wins in the series. “But there's one particular one that happened in Brazil last year, which I think was my standout moment. That race in Brazil was challenging, in how we were able to overcome the odds and win.
“I think that will stand the test of time for most people within this team. It's certainly a memory that I'll carry forever.
“But there are so many highlights as well: interviews, little moments, overtakes, fun races, personal stories.”
A lasting impact
Even though he’s had one of the longest careers in Formula E – only two drivers have entered more races – the last two years with NEOM McLaren have still given him room to grow and learn even more.
“I've learned more about the spirit of racing and what it means to put your heart and soul into a project, as every single individual here does,” he says. “It’s been emotionally amazing. Everybody here has worked tirelessly, and it's been a real eye-opener as to how professional a team can be.
“The results, at times, have been challenging. We've got some incredible memories, both on and off the track, but from a human perspective, it's been nothing short of outstanding.
“I've never seen such professionalism as what I’ve seen at this race team - the amount of hard work and effort that goes into every single race. I will always remember with great fondness the amount of effort that was put into each and every race weekend from every single individual within this race team.”
One thing’s for sure: his time at McLaren will stick with him forever.
“Racing for McLaren was always an ambition of mine, and I'm super happy to have been able to do that,” he says. “You never know, there might be opportunities in the future, but I've loved being able to wear these colours. What an incredible name to have on my jersey. I've worn it with pride.
“I've given my all for the team, and I will always hold McLaren in the highest regard.”
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