Formula E: McLaren's junior joins DS Penske for Season 12
Following McLaren's exit form Formula E, iTaylor Barnard was left without a seat in the all-electic series. However, the British driver has now announced that he will continue to race in Formula E with the DS Penske team.
Former McLaren driver Taylor Barnard will join the DS Penske team from Season 12 onwards, partnering Maximilan Guenther. The British driver has a long list of records in Formula E.
He is the the youngest driver in Formula E history to participate in an E-Prix (Monaco 2024, finishing 14th), score points (Berlin 2024, finishing 10th and eighth), claim a podium (third in Sao Paulo 2025), as well as take pole position (second in Jeddah 2025).
The announcement follows Jean-Eric Vergne's decision to leave the DS Penske outfit. The French driver, who is Formula E's olny two-time champion raced for DS Penske from 2022 to 2025, and collected eight podiums, one win, and three pole positions with the team.
In total, Vergne spent eight seasons with DS Automobiles, with the period having included two teams’ titles, one drivers’ title, six wins, 25 podiums, and 11 pole positions.
“We are delighted to welcome Formula E’s young prodigy into our team! His youth, talent, and motivation will be essential qualities to help him bag some podiums and get in among the leaders of this new season that’s about to begin. I’m sure that he’ll form a great team with Max and be able to get the very most out of our DS E-TENSE FE25.
"At the same time, I would like to thank Formula E’s only double champion, with whom it has been an absolute pleasure to work throughout eight seasons. Jean-Eric’s knowledge and commitment have made a huge contribution to everything that we have achieved as a brand.
"This incredibly productive collaboration between ‘Jev’ and DS Automobiles is sure to write an important chapter in the history of Formula E, DS Penske's Performance Director, Eugenio Franzetti reflected.
Speaking of his new adventure in motorsport, Barnard added: “I’m delighted to join DS PENSKE for Season 12. The team has solid experience in Formula E and I can’t wait to get working alongside Max to go after some top results! Formula E is a unique competition; I feel ready now to continue on this trajectory I’ve started and fight at the front!”
Reflecting on the announcement, Günther said: “I am excited to enter my second season as a DS PENSKE driver. There were plenty of highlights in our first season together, which was characterised by quality and strong performances. Now I’m very much looking forward to building on this base in our second season.
"Having Taylor as my new teammate is fantastic; he is a brilliant driver and a great addition to our team. There’s an incredible spirit running through the whole team and I can’t wait to get the new season started!”
The official tests ahead of Season 12 will take place in Valencia, Spain, from 27-31 October, with the first race getting underway in Sao Paulo (Brazil) on 6 December.
