Sam Bird injured his wrist in a practice session ahead of the Monaco E-Prix. It was announced that the 19-year-old Mclaren development driver would be replacing him while he recovered.
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Barnard had raced in the Misano Rookie test where he was a standout driver, beating the likes of Robert Shwartzman and Zane Maloney.
At the Berlin E-Prix in Barnard’s second race filling in for Sam Bird, he scored his first points. This makes him the youngest driver ever to score points in Formula E history.
When asked if he was happy with the result, he mused, “Obviously very happy with the points,” though admitting, “I think the pace could have been better.”
He was also asked what it was like being a rookie at Berlin. He admitted, “Being thrown in like this, you can’t prepare for anything. So it’s difficult to adapt to.”
Barnard, being the youngest driver to score points, didn’t stop in Race 1. In Race 2, the British driver repeated and improved on the performance. Finishing the race in P8, gaining 4 points.
Barnard started the 2024 season racing in Formula 2 with PHM racing and despite not starting strongly there, it has been the opposite in Formula E.
He impressively finished above his teammate Jake Hughes in both races. Hughes finished 15th in Round 9 and 12th in Round 10.
Barnard described his feelings in race one as “finally getting a grip on the car.” That comfort clearly paid off.
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