London: Team Principals Reflect on the Highs, Lows & Pressure of Season 11
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Time of India
13 hours ago
- Time of India
Ian James pens farewell letter to fans as McLaren exits Formula E: "We'll cross paths again soon"
Ian James with Taylor Barnard and Sam Bird (Image credit: Instagram) Team Principal Ian James of the departing Formula E team NEOM McLaren has penned an open letter to the fans of the team, marking their departure from the electric motorsport format. Addressing the Papaya Army, James thanked them for their trust and support as the team went on to win two Drivers' World Championships and two Teams' World Championships over 103 races in seven seasons. McLaren team principal Ian James pens open letter to fans Ian James began the letter saying that he wrote it with 'a huge amount of pride, as well as with more than a hint of sadness,' as the team closed the final chapter after seven years of competing in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. Thanking the fans for their love on social media and at the track, he said, 'The team was always blown away by the amount of papaya we saw at circuits across the world, race-in, race-out, right from our very first round as the NEOM McLaren Formula E team. Through the early days, the good days, the bad days, and the great days, we have always felt an overwhelming amount of support from you all.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by ColorsTV (@colorstv) For the partners associated with the team, he wrote, 'They say that 'racing is a state of mind', and since its inception, this team has had the privilege of working for organisations, with partners, and racing for fans who fully embrace this philosophy. This is certainly true of those at McLaren, whose passion for racing is second to none.' 'My heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who has been involved: those at McLaren who backed us, the fans who supported us, and the partners who allowed us to go racing. We couldn't have done it without you all — your trust and support have never been taken for granted,' he added. Praising the two McLaren drivers, he wrote, 'Sam clinched McLaren's first-ever fully electric win at the São Paulo E-Prix in Season 10, pulling off one of Formula E's all-time great overtakes, before being waved across the line by none other than Emerson Fittipaldi – McLaren's first Formula 1 World Champion. While Taylor has been a rookie sensation in Season 11, securing five Formula E records, including the youngest driver to start a race, the youngest points scorer, the youngest driver to lead a lap, the youngest podium finisher, and the youngest polesitter. ' He ended the letter saying, 'Some of us have been together since the day we first launched this team, while others have seamlessly fitted in along the way and flourished within the environment we have cultivated. For many, I am sure that we will cross paths again soon, but whatever the future holds for those here at Bicester, whatever path they choose to follow, I have no doubt that it will be bright. Their potential is limitless. ' Reacting to the open letter on Instagram, Taylor Barnard wrote, 'It's been an honour to wear Papaya and represent this team.' Sam Bird also dropped a heart emoji and a hands-joined-in-prayer emoji in the comments section. Also Read: Taylor Barnard looks back at rookie season at McLaren: 'Every step has been unforgettable' What's next in Formula E? Neither Taylor Barnard nor Sam Bird has revealed their future course of action in Formula E Season 12. It will begin on December 6, 2025, with the Sao Paulo E-Prix. It will be the longest season, with 18 races across 12 cities. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Time of India
Taylor Barnard looks back at rookie season at McLaren: 'Every step has been unforgettable'
Taylor Barnard (Image credit: Instagram) Taylor Barnard has penned a note of gratitude for his team, NEOM McLaren, which concluded its Formula E journey at the end of Season 11. He shared his experience of driving for the team and thanked his colleagues and fans for supporting him in his endeavour. It is yet unclear where Barnard and teammate Sam Bird will head next in Formula E Season 12, which begins with testing in October. Taylor Barnard pens note on his time at McLaren Taylor Barnard had a spectacular season in Formula E. After ranking third for some time, he ultimately finished fourth in the 2025 Formula E World Championship. This was his first year as a full-time driver for a Formula E team. Concluding his journey at NEOM McLaren, Barnard wrote on Instagram: 'What an incredible journey the past year and a half has been at NEOM @mclarenfe. From starting as Reserve and Development Driver to earning a full-time race seat, every step has been unforgettable. It's been a privilege to represent the McLaren name.' 'To the entire team, thank you for the faith you placed in me. Your hard work, support, and belief have driven me forward, and it's been a privilege to be part of such a dedicated and passionate group of people,' he added. Adding a note for his NEOM McLaren teammate Sam Bird, team principal Ian James, and the fans, Barnard wrote: '@sambird_official, your experience, advice, and support throughout my rookie season have made a lasting impact, both professionally and personally — I'll always be grateful. @ianjames, thank you for backing me from day one and giving me the chance to prove myself. I'm really proud of everything we've built together this year. ' Thanking the fans as well, he wrote, 'To the Papaya fans, your energy, loyalty, and encouragement have meant everything. I've felt your support at every race, and it never goes unnoticed. You're one of a kind. Thank you for everything, team.' Also Read: Nick Cassidy bids emotional farewell to Jaguar, calls them 'tough competitors' Taylor Barnard's rookie season was one to remember Taylor Barnard delivered a fantastic performance, holding third place in the Formula E Driver Standings until Nick Cassidy entered the top three and pushed him out. He secured five podium finishes in his rookie season in Formula E. Barnard finished third in Sao Paulo, Shanghai, and Tokyo, and claimed second and third places in the Jeddah double header. He ended the year with 112 points in the Driver Standings. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
BBC News
19 hours ago
- BBC News
Hungarian Grand Prix final practice and qualifying
Update: Date: 11:31 BST Title: Post Content: Sam BirdFormula E driver on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra McLaren look the favourites to dominant the front row. Update: Date: 11:30 BST Title: Go! Go! Go! Content: Last chance to iron out any kinks before qualifying. Third practice is green and the track temperature is 47C. Hit the thumbs if you're about the same age as Fernando and your back is hurting too. If anyone has any advice on how to specifically ease lower back pain, please send it over! Update: Date: 11:28 BST Title: Tough day for Red Bull Content: Max Verstappen had to dump an unwanted guest from his cockpit yesterday while he was out on track in second practice. The offending item? A towel. The stewards investigated the incident but decided to take no further action. "It was still in the car when I went out so instead of it maybe potentially getting in between my feet, which is the dangerous part," said Verstappen. "I drove off line and got rid of it in the safest way possible. I think the stewards understand that." As for Red Bull's performance yesterday, the four-time world champion said "nothing really worked". Verstappen finished 14th on the timehseets while his team-mate Yuki Tsunoda ended his second hour in ninth. But both drivers highlighted the same issues throughout the hour. "Today was very tough. Just really a low-grip feeling and not really a balance in the car," added Verstappen. Update: Date: 11:26 BST Title: Listen to live commentary Content: BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2 Good morning to Steve Crossman, Jennie Gow, Harry Benjamin, Formula E driver Sam Bird and F1 correspondent Andrew Benson. Click the 'listen live' tab at the top of the page to tune in to commentary. Update: Date: 11:25 BST Title: 'No pain' in FP2 for injured Alonso Content: Fernando Alonso has been on the treatment table after the Belgian Grand Prix. The 44-year-old Spaniard missed yesterday's opening hour of track running because of a back injury, with reserve driver Felipe Drugovich stepping in to replace him at Aston Martin. Alonso was back in the car for second practice, ending the session in fifth place, one spot behind his team-mate Lance Stroll in fourth. When asked about the pain, Alonso said: 'It's the same as yesterday. It's going to be like this the whole weekend. 'I have a small injury on my muscle on the back in the lumbar area and I needed some rest, but the summer break is coming, so it's another two days of managing the comfort in the seat. 'Yesterday, we found different solutions with pads and other things that are working fine, so today, I had no pain in FP2, so that is positive.' Update: Date: 11:21 BST Title: 'Things to tidy up' for Piastri Content: Andrew BensonBBC F1 correspondent at the Hungaroring Norris' advantage in the first session was 0.019 seconds and although the gap between himself and Oscar Piastri was bigger in the later hour - 0.291secs - neither driver had an ideal run. Norris had to abort his first flying lap after a mistake at Turn Two, while Piastri had heavy traffic on his fastest. Norris then had a narrow escape at the final corner when he got his outside front wheel on the grass turning in, and ran wide into the run-off area. Piastri said: "The performance has been very good. Some things to tidy up. It wasn't the smoothest of P2s but excited for the rest of the weekend." Update: Date: 11:18 BST Title: Norris tops Friday practice Content: Lando Norris was quickest in both practice sessions at the Hungaroring yesterday, leading the timesheets from McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. Norris,who is 16 points behind Piastri in the drivers' championship after the Australian took victory in Belgium last weekend, thought the car felt "pretty good" from the first laps. "The second session was a bit more messy, just a few more mistakes, but that's all part of practice and trying to find the limit in different areas," he said. "I know what I want from the car but it might be a bit harder trying to get it." Update: Date: 11:15 BST Title: Hungary: Qualifying day Content: Lorraine McKennaBBC Sport Journalist Hello, folks. Who is up to the challenge of putting their car on pole position this afternoon? If Friday's practice sessions were a glimpse into the future, the fight for the front row will be an all-McLaren showdown, with Charles Leclerc's Ferrari completing the post-qualifying interview trio. Third practice gets under way at 11:30 BST. The temperatures are warm in Budapest today and the window for qualifying, which starts at 3pm UK time (4pm local) is dry with some cloud.
