Taylor Barnard Becomes Youngest Formula E Polesitter at 20

NEOM McLaren's Taylor Barnard made history at the Jeddah E-Prix by becoming the youngest-ever pole sitter in Formula E at just 20 years and 259 days old. In a thrilling qualifying session, Barnard recorded an impressive lap time of 1:14.804, surpassing his former mentor Oliver Rowland of Nissan by 0.363 seconds. The session featured significant surprises, including reigning champion Pascal Wehrlein failing to progress to the duels and both Jaguar cars unable to advance, highlighting the highly competitive nature of the event.

Barnard's achievement is not only a personal milestone but also signifies a resurgence for NEOM McLaren, marking its first pole since the previous season's Shanghai event. The grid for the race features a strong lineup, with notable drivers Stoffel Vandoorne and Jake Hughes from Maserati occupying positions on the second row. With qualifications conducted in dry conditions despite threats of rain, Barnard's exceptional performance sets an exciting stage for the upcoming races. Aiming for continued success this season, Barnard has quickly established himself as a formidable talent in electric racing, complementing his earlier accolades as the youngest podium finisher and points scorer in F1 history.