Young British racing driver Taylor Barnard is finding his feet at the DS Penske Formula E team, following the unexpected exit of his former squad, NEOM McLaren, from the championship at the close of the previous season. The 21-year-old has been connecting with his fanbase on social media since the start of Season 12 this month, which kicked off with the Sao Paulo E-Prix.
Behind the Scenes: A Sim Day at the Factory
Barnard, who now races for DS Penske alongside teammate Maximilian Gunther, recently offered fans an educational and entertaining glimpse into the team's preparation process. He shared a video on his Instagram, taking viewers inside the team's factory for a typical simulator day. The video was aptly captioned, "Behind the scenes of a sim day at the factory."
The clip provides a rare look at the rigorous work that happens off the track. It shows Barnard in briefings with his engineering team both before and after simulation runs. He meticulously explains the technical setup and breaks down the core principles that make sim racing an indispensable tool for modern motorsport.
The Crucial Role of Simulation in Formula E
In the video, Barnard emphasises that a simulator day is heavily focused on mastering energy management. He describes Formula E races as "super complex" and "super complicated," making thorough preparation absolutely vital. "That's why we practice a lot in the sim," he states.
Elaborating on the importance of these sessions, Barnard adds, "With it being so complicated, there's lots of different aspects we need to cover as drivers, and also for the engineers." He reveals that the team conducts multiple simulator days with different drivers, experimenting with various setups. Since each circuit on the calendar demands a unique driving technique, the goal is to cover all possible scenarios.
From Factory to Home: A Driver's Dedication
Barnard also shared his personal passion for sim racing, noting that he spends a significant amount of his free time practicing at home. He disclosed the standard pre-race routine: drivers typically complete two to three full days of simulator work before each race weekend. One of these sessions is a collaborative effort with his teammate, Maximilian Gunther.
"We try to share some information and techniques and get the best for the car and for the team," Barnard explained. He stressed the simulator's critical role, pointing out the limited track time during an actual event. "We only get two free practices, and in that we get four, maybe six push laps if we're super lucky. So preparing everything in the simulator is super important."
He highlighted that energy saving is a fundamental skill, relevant not just in Formula E but across all racing categories from Formula 4 to Formula 1. "Without it, I think it'd be tough," he concluded.
Fan Reaction and Upcoming Challenge
The behind-the-scenes video was met with great enthusiasm from Formula E fans. Comments flooded in, with followers writing, "Love it," "The Barnard explanations open," and "That sim looks pretty epic, woah."
Barnard's attention now shifts to the next competitive challenge. He will return to the track for Round 2 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in Mexico. The highly anticipated Mexico City E-Prix is scheduled for January 10 next year.
