Emerson Fittipaldi joins Sam Bird, NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, 1st position, Ian James, Team Principal, NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, Jake Hughes, NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, and the McLaren group, in celebration
Sam Bird displays on ending McLaren’s winless Formula E streak in Sao Paulo EPrix after a supreme drive and improbable last-lap move.
The Briton ended his 37 race winless streak to provide NEOM McLaren their first Formula E victory. It was an unimaginable end to Formula E’s second go to to São Paulo, as NEOM McLaren’s Sam Bird went for a courageous and bold transfer on former teammate Mitch Evans (Jaguar TCS Racing) on the ultimate lap to assert his twelfth profession victory.
Despite Bird being given warnings by his group in regards to the temperature of his automobile on the ultimate few laps, the 37-year-old noticed a spot and went for it to assert the group’s first victory since they joined the all-electric championship firstly of the GEN3 period. It was his first win since New York in 2021, and introduced an finish to his 37 race winless streak.
“What a race that was, that was great,” Bird exclaimed after the race. “It means so much for everybody at NEOM McLaren. I think everybody can now see the progress that is slowly happening.” As nicely as Bird, Nissan’s Oliver Rowland jumped from fifth to 3rd on the ultimate nook to assert his second consecutive podium end.
The Yorkshireman began eleventh however managed to play the sport completely to work his means up the grid. It implies that it was a double-podium for the Nissan powertrains, the primary time this has occurred of their Formula E historical past. “I mean, a double podium for Nissan. They haven’t done that in years and years, so I’m delighted for that group,” Bird added. “Also for my guys at NEOM McLaren. You know, podiums have been sparse. I hope that this opens the floodgates a bit of bit.
“I had to target the beginning of the year to get a couple of podiums. I didn’t expect to win. It was a great race between me and Mitch, my old teammate, it was really fair.” Rene Rast received the primary podium for the group in Diriyah final season, however since then they managed two Julius Baer Pole Positions with Jake Hughes.
“I said on the radio “I think Mitch is struggling more than me with the temperatures”. I used to be instructed to chill the automobile, then I noticed the elevate factors and I assumed ‘look, it’s now or by no means, I’ve received to go’. He defended the within and gave me simply sufficient room on the skin to have some form of transfer. I don’t know the way shut it was to the wall, however it was truthful racing and received it carried out.”
Bird is now the second-oldest Formula E race winner at 37 years and 67 days – behind ABT CUPRA’s Lucas di Grassi – with the Brit claiming “there’s still life in the old dog yet, but I think I have used all my talent up there.” Joining Bird on the rostrum was Stephen Lane, his Race Engineer, and somebody that has labored with him for the reason that DS Virgin and Envision Racing days. Joking on the radio, Bird instructed Lane that it was his flip subsequent to bleach his hair, after Bird debuted his new blonde locks in Diriyah in January.
Here’s how Sao Paulo EPrix panned out
[Note: The story is as per press release]
