Formula E | Exclusive interview with Barnard: “Crazy to think it’s been one year since my debut”

Taylor Barnard’s first full Formula E season is making headlines, not only for his speed but also for a series of records that are rewriting the history books of the full-electric championship.  After becoming the youngest driver ever to score points in the championship last year in Berlin, Barnard has raised the bar even higher in season 11: he is now the youngest driver in Formula E history to secure both a pole position and a podium finish—an impressive feat in the series’ eleventh season.

These milestones carry even more weight considering that it was exactly twelve months ago in Monaco when Barnard made his unexpected debut, stepping in for the injured Sam Bird. Now, he returns to the same circuit in a very different role: sitting fourth in the overall standings, firmly in the title race, and a regular fixture among the frontrunners.

Looking back: development after one year in Formula E

It’s been about a year since your debut in Formula E — what’s the biggest difference between the Taylor who competed here in Monaco last season and the one I’m talking to today?
I’d say confidence, it feels actually really crazy that it’s been already one year since I’ve done my debut which is crazy to me. Definitely confidence, obviously I now have more races under my belt, I have three podiums and a pole position, which obviously feels quite good. Coming into this weekend, knowing I’ve already driven the track previously and having some results behind me, I definitely have more confidence. 

What’s one thing you are learning the hard way in your rookie season?
I don’t think so, I think one thing which I’m expecting and I’ll learn very soon is that results will be very up&down. For sure Miami was not what we wanted and Jeddah was a very good weekend for us, but that’s just how Formula E goes, I think you have to deal with the ups and downs of Formula E, and that will be challenging to learn, but other than that I’m pretty comfortable. 

What’s the moment so far that made you realize “okay, I really belong here”?
Definitely Jeddah. That weekend was very good, I knew the car was fast, the car was very strong, but also I felt like I did a good job, I was very comfortable, when everything was in the position to be in pole position, for example, I was able to do it, so I hope to have the same kind of situation this weekend as well, but yeah I mean I have the confidence and I believe that I can do it again. 

What surprised you about Formula E?

Formula E is a very unique championship — what surprised you the most about how it works, or the atmosphere in the paddock?
When I first started I expected it to be a lot more… I don’t want to say serious, but more intense in the feeling in the paddock, at the moment I feel that everyone is very friendly, very kind. I’ve not been used to that so far in my career where the feeling in the paddock is very intense. I don’t really feel that here, I don’t know if it’s due to the team or due to something else, but I feel very comfortable and I think everyone is very friendly in this championship. 

How does a weekend like Monaco compare to others on the calendar? Does the setting make it more special or even more intense?
I think this weekend already is very special for me because it’s where I started my debut. I won F2 here last year, in the Sprint, so there’s already a lot of things that make it special for me, but also because it’s Monaco, it’s always going to be one of the most special races of the season.

What’s the biggest difference between racing in Formula E and Formula 2, both technically and mentally?
Formula 2 is very difficult to overtake, races are more about tyre management and pure pace of the car, I think Formula E is a lot more down to strategy, management of the race and also being very aware, because the way you save energy you can read the race well, and if you’re doing that you’re able to be strong in the last five laps. In Formula 2 you understand the situation and the pace of the other cars, but you’re not really able to do much about that, so I think Formula E is a lot more complex with the changes on the steering wheel, the Attack Mode and energy management of all the cars, but also the ease of being able to overtake.

How about the Pit Boost that we're going to see here?
I mean, for sure it’s gonna change the race, it’ll be a more flat race, there’ll be less saving. Honestly how it’s gonna look I don’t really know yet, nobody knows, we’ve not done a race with Pit Boost here, we’ve only done it in Jeddah and that made the race flat out, that’s kinda the tendency we’re expecting, but other than that it’s hard for me to say.

Second half of the season

We’re now heading into the second half of the season — what are your main goals for the upcoming races?
Main goals will be to score consistent points, I think that’s what my goal has always been, just to keep scoring consistent points. If I can pick up podiums or race wins along the way, then that’s great but pick points is the main focus.

Is there a race you’re particularly looking forward to?
Honestly Tokyo. I think the track is very different compared to what we see usually not just in Formula E but in any racing series, so I think Tokyo is gonna be something special.

What’s one thing you and the team are working on right now to make a step forward?
I wouldn’t say there’s one thing where we’re necessarily lacking, I think all around we’re looking very good so far. I mean, maybe we need to look into a little bit of strategy, ‘cause that was a bit of an issue in Miami, but to be honest I’m very happy with the way that all the guys are working, we’re doing a very solid job, so if everything falls into place and we get lucky, I think it’ll be ok.

Taylor on a personal level

When you're not at the track or training, what helps you disconnect and relax?
Spending time with family and friends, for sure, that help my brain to just disconnect and refocus for the next weekend. To be honest I don’t watch other sports. If I’m not racing, I’m in the simulator training. Sometimes I disconnect with my family, but not a lot honestly.

Has there been a driver in the paddock — current or past — who’s given you useful advice or that you look up to?
For sure Sam [Bird] has helped me quite a lot since I started in Formula E, he has a lot of experience here in the championship, and I think he was one of the main people to teach me and bring me up. 

How about Oliver and Jake, I remember they were talking about you in Jeddah.
Yeah Ollie helped me very early in my career when I was trying to leave UK and pursue a professional career in European karting, he helped me quite a lot there and he was the person that made me make that step, so I owe a lot to him as well. Jake of course, when I was reserve driver last year, I learned a lot from him and Sam, so I would say those three guys.

From Monaco - Mattia Fundarò