Taylor Barnard became Formula E’s youngest-ever race winner after a dramatic victory in the season finale at London’s ExCeL on Sunday. The 22-year-old DS PENSKE driver made a late move on Mahindra Racing’s Nyck de Vries with just two laps remaining to take his maiden Formula E victory. At 22 years and 76 days, Barnard also created history as the youngest driver to win a race in the championship.
Taylor Barnard gets emotional on historic Formula E win
The victory was an emotional moment for Taylor Barnard, who celebrated his first Formula E win in front of his home crowd and his family.“That’s the first time I’ve cried for a long time! To be the youngest race winner feels amazing and to do it in front of the home crowd, it feels unbelievable. I’ve got my whole family here as well. I’m speechless right now, I can’t believe it,” he said.ID@undefined Caption not available.Barnard finished ahead of de Mahindra Racing’s Nyck De Vries and Edoardo Mortara, giving Mahindra a two-three finish. His win also came on a special day for DS PENSKE, as it was DS Automobiles’ final appearance in Formula E.Barnard’s victory came after a bold late attack. He used his final Attack Mode activation to pass Mortara for second before making a last-corner move on de Vries with two laps remaining.“It was definitely all or nothing. It was definitely all or nothing moves. I did it in the last corner, both times, actually, in ATTACK MODE so, I think it was just opportunistic, and a tactical, FE move. Honestly, I’m lost for words,” he said.The British driver said the final lap was one of the most difficult he has experienced.“That was the shakiest last lap I think I’m ever gonna have in my career. The team deserves a break,” he added.ID@undefined Caption not available.
Taylor Barnard praises DS Penske
Taylor Barnard also praised his DS PENSKE team after a difficult season. He said the team had worked hard throughout the year, especially in the simulator, despite results not always going their way.“And after such a tough season, the team have done so much hard work, we’ve been working in the simulator tirelessly all year. It’s never really gone our way, but today, I think the whole team deserves a break, and honestly, thanks to all of them, the guys did absolutely amazing today,” he said.Barnard’s historic victory came on the same day Pascal Wehrlein secured his second Formula E Drivers’ World Championship, while Jaguar TCS Racing retained the Teams’ World Championship.Also read: Pascal Wehrlein wins Formula E World Championship as Taylor Barnard takes London E-Prix victory
