The McLaren System E crew has confirmed that Taylor Barnard will accomplice Sam Chicken on the crew for the upcoming 2024/25 season.
Barnard, an Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Younger Driver of the Yr finalist in 2023, takes the place of Jake Hughes, who was confirmed at Maserati MSG earlier this month.
The Briton turned the youngest driver to compete within the all-electric championship on the age of 19 when he made his debut on the 2024 Monaco E-Prix having been known as in as a late substitute for Chicken, who broke his hand in a apply crash.
After ending 14th on the streets of Monte Carlo, Barnard scored a double factors end subsequent outing in Berlin earlier than resuming his function as McLaren’s reserve and improvement driver after Chicken’s return.
However having impressed on his outings, McLaren introduced on Tuesday that he could be racing full-time this coming season with the crew.
“I’m excited to race alongside Sam this season, and I’m certain I’ll study so much from him,” mentioned Barnard, who this 12 months has additionally raced in System 2 with AIX Racing and gained the dash race in Monaco.
“He is likely one of the most skilled drivers on the grid, and I hope that collectively we will rating loads of factors and accumulate some trophies for the crew.
Taylor Barnard, NEOM McLaren System E Workforce, e-4ORCE 04
Photograph by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Photographs
“It’s a tremendous alternative to have the ability to proceed the journey with the crew as full-time
System E driver, and I can’t wait to get began.”
Chicken, in the meantime, will enter his sophomore season with McLaren having taken the British squad’s first win in System E in Sao Paulo with a last-lap overtake.
The 37-year-old Briton failed to face on the rostrum once more, although, having injured the identical hand that he broke in London in the course of the 2021/22 season.
After registering simply two factors finishes within the final six races on his comeback, Chicken completed equal on factors with Hughes down in thirteenth within the standings, as McLaren might solely handle seventh within the groups’ championship.
Zak Brown, McLaren CEO, mentioned: “As we enter our third 12 months competing in System E, I’m delighted that we’ll have a robust driver line-up in Sam and Taylor.
“Each have confirmed themselves to be spectacular abilities, each in System E and different classes.
“I look ahead to leveraging their abilities and experience to assist deliver the McLaren System E crew to success in Season 11.”
