Latest news with #SamBird
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
From Mitch Evans to Antonio Da Costa: The drivers who mastered Formula E double-headers
Image credit: Instagram In Formula E, a double-header means double the thrill—and fans make sure they don't miss a moment. Taking place over a weekend, these back-to-back races offer spectators twice the action, twice the drama, and twice the excitement. Despite the electrifying atmosphere, the roaring crowds, and the intense competition, only five drivers in Formula E's 10-year history have managed to win both races of a double-header weekend. Here's a look at the elite few who have pulled off this rare feat: Formula E Drivers in the elite list Nico Prost – London (2016) Nicolas Jean Prost, better known as Nico Prost, became the first-ever driver in Formula E to win both races of a double-header weekend. He achieved this historic milestone in London in 2016, driving for Renault Sam Bird – New York (2017) Sam Bird was the second to join this exclusive club. Driving for DS Virgin Racing, Bird secured back-to-back wins during Formula E's debut in New York City in 2017. It was also the first time an international motor race was held in the city, and Bird captivated fans with his commanding performance over the weekend. Antonio Félix da Costa – Berlin (2020) Antonio Félix da Costa became the third driver to win a double-header, doing so in a unique and challenging setting. Representing DS Techeetah, he clinched victories during the first of three double-headers in Berlin in 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the final six races of the season were held in Berlin, making da Costa's consistency even more remarkable. Mitch Evans – Rome (2022) Jaguar TCS Racing's Mitch Evans had a slow start to the 2022 season, scoring just one point from the first three races. But he turned things around dramatically in Rome, where he dominated the weekend, starting from ninth and powering through to victory. He capped it off with a stunning lead of 5.703 seconds in one of the races. Also Read: Revisiting Antonio Felix Da Costa's epic high-altitude pool dive after his Monaco E-Prix win Pascal Wehrlein – Diriyah (2023) Pascal Wehrlein delivered one of the most impressive double-header wins in recent memory. Driving for Porsche, he started from ninth and fifth in the two races in Diriyah, 2023. Yet, with clinical precision and sheer pace, Wehrlein won both races, crossing the chequered flag with style and making his achievement look almost effortless. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Antonio Da Costa hails Sam Bird for recording fastest lap at Tokyo E-Prix: 'Close close my brother'
Image credit: Sam Bird/Instagram NEOM McLaren driver Sam Bird recorded the fastest lap at the Tokyo E-Prix Round 9 and left the city with an extra point. He finished the Tokyo race in eighth position after setting the fastest lap time of 1:14.753s. The driver is now gearing up for the upcoming Shanghai race double-header at the end of this month. With such a performance in Tokyo, he seems to have good things lined up for him in China. Sam Bird on recording fastest lap in Tokyo Taking to Instagram, Sam Bird wrote after the Tokyo Round 9 race, 'P8 and fastest lap in Tokyo. Not quite what I was going for. P5 in my group with exactly the same time as @afelixdacosta but AFDC did it before me so went through P4 in group. Two hard races but we keep moving forwards and I'm excited for Shanghai. Thanks for all the mega support as always. @mclarenfe.' TAG Heuer Porsche driver Antonio Felix Da Costa commented on his post, 'Close close my brother.' A fan wrote, 'Happy for the fastest lap, and we're excited for Shanghai too.' Another asked, 'Finally got a little bit of luck, hopefully podium in Shanghai?' One more added, 'Hope for more success in Shanghai, love that circuit, one of my favourites.' A spectator wrote, 'Thank you for your passionate driving in Tokyo. Congratulations on the fastest lap. I believe you will show us even better driving in Shanghai! It was my first time to watch a race at the circuit, and it was a very moving experience to be able to present you the sticker in person. Thank you!' Sam Bird is one of the longest-serving drivers in Formula E and has as many as 12 wins in his FE career. Talking about his consistent performance on the track, Bird told McLaren in an interview, 'In this modern day and age, fitness and diet are very key elements of being a sportsman. You look back at the '80s, '90s, not so much, but now everybody's taking fitness and nutrition extremely seriously.' Also Read: Tokyo E-Prix 2025 results: Oliver Rowland claims his fourth win of the season, Pascal Wehrlein finishes second in Round 9 'There's also the hunger and desire to continue to improve and get better and score more wins. That's always a focus and a goal of mine. I'm not content and happy with what I've done so far in my career; I want to do more, do better. I've got one win for NEOM McLaren, I'd like more,' he added. Sam Bird has also spent a significant amount of time in Formula 1 and was close friends with Michael Schumacher before moving to Formula E. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
McLaren to exit Formula E at end of season; fans eager for updates on Taylor Barnard and Sam Bird's future
McLaren has been one of the strongest teams in Formula E since joining the championship three years ago. However, according to the latest updates, the company will exit Formula E at the end of this season. The NEOM McLaren Formula E team currently features the youngest driver on the grid, Taylor Barnard, alongside the experienced Sam Bird. What the future holds for the two British drivers remains to be seen. Why McLaren is pulling out of Formula E? It has been revealed that McLaren's owners are planning to shift their focus towards Formula One — where they are currently leading the season — as well as IndyCar and their new hypercar project, set to debut in 2027 in the World Endurance Championship. As per Reuters, McLaren CEO Zak Brown said in a statement, "The time is right to explore other opportunities that more closely align with McLaren Racing's overall strategic direction - including our 2027 entry into the FIA World Endurance Championship. For now, we are focused on setting this great team up for future success by working towards securing a new owner." The NEOM McLaren team also shared a statement on its official Instagram account. It read: 'McLaren Racing confirmed today that following a strategic review of its racing portfolio the decision was taken not to continue our participation in the FIA Formula E World Championship beyond the current 2024/25 season.' It further read: 'Work is already well under way to set this great team up for future success by working towards securing new investment. In the meantime, we remain fully committed to building on our strong start to the season and fighting for on-track success until the very last race.' 'Our heartfelt thanks go to the team for their continued commitment and dedication, and to Formula E, our partners, and our fans for their continued support.' Expressing concern for the McLaren drivers, a fan wrote in the comments section of the post, 'Hopefully Taylor and Sam can find a new team cause it would be sad if they left the sport.' Another wrote, 'This is so sad! I hope not only our amazing drivers find their paths to keep around the sport but also the amazing team on the garage and back home. You will be missed papaya.' Also Read: Taylor Barnard shares first reaction after almost coming last at Miami E-Prix: 'Time to turn our attention to streets of Monaco' As of now, Taylor Barnard is 4th in the Drivers' Standings this year with 3 podium finishes and 51 points. Meanwhile, Sam Bird is in 13th position with 16 points.
BBC News
27-03-2025
- BBC News
Second appeal launched to identify man found dead in Southsea
A second appeal has been launched to identify a man whose body was found on the Hampshire coast just over three months were called to Eastney East Battery on Southsea Esplanade at 18:30 GMT on Boxing white man is thought to have been aged about 50 to 60 years old, and might previously have suffered a heart attack, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary death is not being treated as suspicious, but officers renewed their appeal from December because they have not been able to identify him. The man had a gold tooth and was wearing blue Levi jeans, a pink woollen scarf and a blue Regatta fleece with a Balfour Beatty South East Territory Track Renewals logo on was also wearing a white and blue striped shirt with a red British Rail logo on its pocket and black Adidas trainers. Police also found he had an inhaler, a house key with a keyring for a Portsmouth garage and an old-style video camera."We want to be able to update the man's family and friends, but need the public's help to do so," Sam Bird, from the police force, said."Based on his possessions, especially the house key and keyring from a local garage, we believe the man could have been a local resident, rather than having travelled here from elsewhere in the country. "Do you know of a friend or neighbour that hasn't been seen since Christmas who could be this man?" You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Arab News
14-02-2025
- Automotive
- Arab News
Formula E drivers revved-up for podium finishes at first Jeddah E-Prix
JEDDAH: Ahead of the third round of the Formula E's season in Saudi Arabia this weekend, drivers from the teams competing in the first Jeddah E-Prix have revealed their ambitions for the doubleheader under lights. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Sam Bird of NEOM McLaren, Maximilian Guenther of DS PENSKE and Nick Cassidy of Jaguar TCS Racing spoke to Arab News recently ahead of the action taking place at Jeddah Corniche Circuit for the first time after six years of Formula E's Saudi Arabia residency in Diriyah. Bird, who previously managed to claim two wins in Saudi Arabia, said: 'I am very motivated to get the best on the Jeddah's track for the first time. 'I am really excited to take on the two doubleheaders in Jeddah and push for my first points with Jaguar Racing. I've won in Saudi Arabia, particularly in Diriyah not so long ago so can't wait to get going here in Jeddah.' Even though the Mexico City E-Prix in January did not go as planned for the British driver, who ended fourth, he is determined to get back on the podium on Saturday. 'We need a strong performance to stay in the fight at the top of the standings,' said Bird. Meanwhile, New Zealand's Cassidy is keen to replicate past success in Saudi Arabia. 'We have put in a lot of hard work since Mexico and hopefully we can translate that into some strong results in Jeddah,' the Jaguar driver said. 'I have happy memories of racing in Saudi Arabia for Jaguar TCS Racing, including taking my first win with the team, so it would be great to continue that.' Germany's Guenther, who narrowly lost the internal team duel against Jean-Eric Vergne in Mexico, commented: 'I am happy with the way the team works together. 'It was only my second race with DS Penske, but I have the feeling that everything is developing very well. Now I am really looking forward to Jeddah.'
