Growing belief that McLaren have unearthed a 19-year-old ‘gem’ this year

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There is a growing belief at McLaren that they’ve uncovered a gem in young driver Taylor Barnard.

Ahead of the Formula E season getting started this weekend, McLaren are preparing for their second year in the series.

A report from The Race has shared more details about Taylor Barnard’s new role within the team.

McLaren may be a name synonymous with Formula 1, but they’re becoming more and more involved in other top series in the world of motorsport.

Zak Brown and Brian Barnhart run their IndyCar team, with F1 reserve driver Pato O’Ward one of their three drivers in that series, alongside Formula 1 alumni Alexander Rossi.

They have nine victories and 11 podiums since forming the Arrow McLaren team in 2019 but are still awaiting their first Indy 500 victory.

McLaren also compete in Extreme E, while they’re about to enter their second campaign in Formula E.

Jake Hughes and multiple race winner Sam Bird will compete for them this year.

19-year-old Taylor Barnard will act as their reserve driver and McLaren believe he could be a gem for the future.

He’s not had the most glittering career thus far but still has plenty of time ahead of him to develop.

The experience he gains in Formula E could set him up for a switch back across to Formula 2 or even F1 in the future.

McLaren think they have a gem in Taylor Barnard

The report from The Race suggests that some people at McLaren have a ‘growing belief’ that they’ve uncovered a potential star of the future in Barnard.

Speaking about joining the historic team, Barnard said: “It’s a really early stage in my career and I think to get myself in with McLaren and just develop my skills and to build myself as a driver is a great step for me.

“I’ve not driven anything electric either before. So yeah, to jump in and be quick straight away was really nice.”

McLaren team principal Ian James believes Barnard could be ‘integral’ to their success this year and if he’s the gem the team believe he is, then the sky could be the limit for the teenager.

Born in 2004, the young Brit finished runner-up in ADAC Formula 4 in 2022 and Formula Regional Middle East last year.

Driving for Jenzer in Formula 3 last year, Barnard finished 10^th in the championship but did secure the team’s only win of the season at Spa.

His teammates Alex Garcia and Nikita Bedrin scored 36 points combined, half of Barnard’s total of 72 at the end of the season.

It shows just what a good job he did in one of the slowest cars on the grid.