Sam Bird is prepared for his NEOM McLaren Formula E Team debut this weekend, on the season-opening Mexico City E-Prix.
Bird enters his tenth Formula E season hoping for a powerful begin to life at McLaren, following his transfer from Jaguar TCS Racing. It’s a giant weekend for the veteran to point out that he nonetheless has it, after being comfortably overwhelmed by Mitch Evans at Jaguar final season.
Many view McLaren as the right aspect for Bird to rejuvenate his Formula E profession, provided that they’re a young staff with minimal expertise. Bird’s information and velocity will likely be invaluable for McLaren. There isn’t any doubting that when Bird is at his greatest, he’s nonetheless one of many quickest drivers on the grid.
It’s simply in regards to the 37-year-old exhibiting this on the racetrack, beginning on the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez this Saturday. A clear weekend is essential for Bird to build some rapid momentum, as is competing with teammate Jake Hughes.
Bird is “extremely excited” to get his McLaren profession underway and believes {that a} good result’s attainable within the Mexican capital, of everybody performs “to the best of our abilities”.
“I’m extremely excited to begin the season in Mexico City this weekend,” Bird mentioned. “We’ve had a very productive winter break at the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team and everyone has been working very hard to ensure that we are in the best possible place going into our first race this year.
“I firmly believe that if we all perform to the best of our abilities, then we’ll come away from Mexico City with the results that we want and hitting the targets we have set. Bring it on.”
Bird will take some confidence from the truth that Hughes was so robust in Mexico City 12 months in the past, with the 29-year-old having completed fifth on his Formula E debut. Hughes certified in third final yr, earlier than shedding two locations throughout the race.
After efficiently navigating by way of his rookie season, Hughes now must push on and problem for large factors on a extra constant foundation, one thing he’s undoubtedly able to attaining. With a season of Formula E below his belt, Hughes now has a significantly better understanding of what’s wanted to compete with the frontrunners.
As talked about, his first style of competing in the direction of the entrance got here in Mexico City final season, with a “similar performance” being the plan this weekend.
“I’m really excited to get going in my second season in Formula E,” mentioned Hughes. “Last year, there were some big highs and I learnt some lessons along the way, which is inevitable for someone in their first year. I’m looking forward to taking what I learnt last season and putting that into practice, starting in Mexico City this weekend.
“Last season, we began quite strongly with a top five finish here, so I’m hoping we can put on a similar performance this year and push forward.”
