Latest news with #NEOMMcLaren
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Jakarta E-Prix 2025: Sam Bird gets stranded in Abu Dhabi as Oliver Rowland, Jake Dennis and Robin Frijns reach Indonesia
Image credit: Sam Bird/Instagram The Formula E drivers have reached Indonesia for the Jakarta E-Prix. It is scheduled to begin on Friday, June 20, with the final race scheduled for Saturday, June 21. However, the status of NEOM McLaren driver Sam Bird isn't clear yet. He got stranded in Abu Dhabi for the night and hoped to get a flight to Jakarta on Wednesday. The reason why Bird's flight got stranded in Abu Dhabi isn't clear. The region is currently seeing a lot of flight route changes and delays amid the ongoing Israel-Iran attacks war. Formula E drivers head to Jakarta for Round 12 Sam Bird took to his Instagram Stories Tuesday night to share a picture of his flight after getting down at the Abu Dhabi airport. He wrote along with it, 'O dear! Stranded for the night in Abu Dhabi. Fingers crossed I can get a flight to Jakarta tomorrow.' He is yet to post an update until the publishing of this story. Meanwhile, several other Formula E drivers took to social media to share an update about their arrival in Jakarta. Jake Dennis, who had been partying hard for quite a few days in Monaco, revealed he was on time to participate at the Jakarta E-Prix. The Andretti driver celebrated his 30th birthday on a yacht along with family and friends, including his girlfriend Lexi Grace Boosey. He shared a picture of himself from the lift and captioned it on his Instagram Stories, 'Back down to business! Next stop Jakarta.' Dennis would be hoping for yet another podium this year after he won second position in both the races held at the Jakarta double-header two years ago. He had also recorded the fastest lap in Race 2. Nissan's Oliver Rowland confirmed he had reached Indonesia for the race. He shared a picture from The Langham hotel in Jakarta. Envision Racing driver Robin Frijns shared a picture of the snow-covered mountains from his flight to Jakarta. He recently participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race and ended up in 18th position. Also Read: Jake Dennis shows off special birthday gift from girlfriend, says 'She knows me well' Twenty-two Formula E drivers are participating in the Round 12 Formula E race in Indonesia. The race will be held at the 2.37 km Ancol Beach street track in the new GEN3 Evo electric car, which will be racing in the country for the first time. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Who is Sam Bird's girlfriend Jess Impiazzi? Know more about the actor who is always cheering for the Formula E driver
Image credit: Jess Impiazzi/Instagram Formula E driver Sam Bird is yet to clinch a podium this season, but the 38-year-old has his partner and actor Jess Impiazzi by his side most of the time. The NEOM McLaren driver is often spotted with Impiazzi at the races, and she too is usually there to cheer for him from the sidelines. Here is more about the actor who was also present at the recently held Tokyo E-Prix. Who is Jess Impiazzi ? Jess Impiazzi is a TV actress, having featured in shows like C.B. Strike (2017), Keep Calm & Carry On (2022), and Override (2021). She often accompanies Sam Bird to the track and is one of his biggest cheerleaders during the races. She is currently working on the Jitters movie and had shared some behind-the-scenes pictures from the shooting of the film. She recently also opened up about her struggle with lupus — an autoimmune disease. She is now in remission and thanked her near and dear ones who helped her in her journey. Jess Impiazzi shares post about Tokyo E-Prix Sam Bird's girlfriend Jess Impiazzi accompanied him to the Tokyo E-Prix as well and then penned a note to sum up the experience. Talking about the Tokyo trip, Impiazzi wrote, 'I couldn't be more proud of you @sambird_official getting back in the points today here in #Tokyo at the @fiaformulae #tokyoeprix! You're an incredible human and have a heart and soul second to none!' Talking more about the Tokyo double-header, Impiazzi wrote, 'Tokyo has been the most amazing place! The culture, the people, the awesome things to see and do! I've loved every second of this trip! I'm so grateful to the amazing team @mclarenfe! Every single person who works there is just the kindest and loveliest humans! I feel so lucky getting to know everyone! So that's a wrap on our Tokyo trip and coming back home tomorrow! Over and out. ' Also Read: Sam Bird is NEOM McLaren teammate Taylor Barnard's biggest cheerleader, says 'It's been great to see Taylor do such an incredible job' Sam Bird is currently in 17th position in the Formula E Driver Standings with 27 points. He has also been cheering for teammate Taylor Barnard, who is doing very well in his rookie season at NEOM McLaren.
Time of India
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sam Bird is NEOM McLaren teammate Taylor Barnard's biggest cheerleader, says 'It's been great to see Taylor do such an incredible job'
Image credit: Formula E Formula E drivers Sam Bird and Taylar Barnard have a massive 17 year age difference between them but the NEOM McLaren drivers are as close as brothers. While Sam Bird is more experienced, Barnard is the one excelling in his rookie season this year. Barnard was a reserve driver for NEOM McLaren last season and made his Formula E debut while filling in for an injured Bird at the Monaco-E-Prix. This year, he joined Bird as a co-driver and their bromance is for all to see. Sam Bird and Taylor Barnard 's bromance The Instagram handle of Formula E shared a video of Sam Bird praising Taylor Barnard. It was shared with the caption: 'What a season it's been for @taylorbarnard1! @sambird_official names it one of his favourite moments so far.' The video showed Bird talking about Barnard's top notch performance in the 2025 Formula E season and calling it one of his favourite moments. He says in the video, 'My favourite moment of the season so far? Oh gosh. It's been great to see Taylor Barnard do such an incredible job. He's been the outstanding driver of the year so far. You know for a rookie it's been awesome. So I'd probably say those two things.' The Instagram handle of Neom McLaren Formula E dropped a comment on the video: 'True definition of team mates.' Formula E once also shared a video of Bird and Barnard's bonding along with the caption: 'These two, the best bromance on the grid!' The video showed how Bird tried to play a prank on Barnard but the 21--year-old was too alert to not let Bird find any success in his plans. Among many of his plans, he asks Barnard to smell the cake with a plan to smash it on his face but the latter says, 'No I am good.' Fans loved their bromance and cheered for them in the comments section. A fan reacted, 'Sam like the protected big brother, this is the broamance we never knew we needed.' Another said, 'Taylor looking at Sam then laughs out of nowhere is soo me.' One more said, 'Your honor, I'm guilty, I love them so much.' A fan called them the 'Best duo on the grid.' Another called them 'Uncle sam and lil Tay'. Also Read: Taylor Barnard heads home with extra luggage after podium finish at Tokyo E-Prix Barnard is currently in fourth position in the 2024 Formula E Driver Standings with 86 points. He has already won five podiums in his rookie season and there are five more races to go for Barnard to aim for a win. Bird is 17th position in the Driver Standings with 27 points.
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Gutted': Sam Bird pours out feelings in Instagram post as he misses 24 Hours of Le Mans — his favourite race
Image credit: Sam Bird/Instagram Formula E driver Sam Bird has penned a note to share his feelings as he is forced to skip the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. The NEOM McLaren driver will be seen competing at the Jakarta E-Prix, which is scheduled to take place on June 20 and 21. He has now revealed the reason behind his absence from the race which he says is his favourite race of the year. Sam Bird misses taking part in 24 Hours of Le Mans race Sam Bird used to be a regular face at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race since 2014, but he has not participated in the race since he joined the NEOM McLaren Formula E team in 2023. Sharing a bunch of throwback pictures from the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, Sam Bird wrote on Instagram, 'Le Mans is only a week away!!! Gutted I'm not racing this year in what is my favourite race of the calendar year. The teamwork, dedication, rivalries, the ups and downs of emotions all bubbling up over a 24 hour period. Best of luck to everyone taking part. I hope to be back slinging a car through Porsche curves soon enough. ' Reacting to his post, a fan wrote, 'It was always great to watch you race in LeMans especially when both you and Filipe took part in the race, last time when you raced there I watched the LIVE for 22hrs. Miss that feeling.' Another said, 'Hope to see you in at least a McLaren GT3 but a hypercar in 27.' One more said, 'I'm sure you'll be back behind the wheel soon.' A fan added, 'Hope to see you in McLaren Hypercar!!!' Another said, 'We sure do miss you Sam!' In Formula E, Sam Bird took part in the Shanghai E-Prix last weekend. He is yet to bag a podium spot this season. In an Instagram post after the race, he wrote, 'Hard battles this weekend out in Shanghai. P7 in race one and a challenging race two in the wet with no reward. Lots learnt and we move onto Jakarta. Thanks to @mclarenfe for giving us a great car especially in the dry.' Also Read: Jakarta to London via Berlin: All you need to know about the remaining 2025 Formula E calendar Sam Bird is still hoping for a better season. He is in the 17th position in the Formula E Driver Standings for this year with just 27 points and no podium.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Taylor Barnard turns 21 a day after podium finish in Shanghai, says 'I need to look at race to understand what actually happened'
Image credit: Taylor Barnard/Instagram Taylor Barnard celebrated his 21st birthday with his teammates on June 1 and took part in the Formula E Round 11 race in Shanghai on the same day. The NEOM McLaren driver had won a podium a day before in the Round 10 race and had enough reasons to celebrate. Barnard has revealed that he did manage to get the podium in the first part of the Shanghai E-Prix, but he is yet to figure out how he managed to reach the podium. Taylor Barnar talks about his win in Shanghai Taylor Barnard not only got the third spot on the podium in Shanghai but also registered the fastest lap. He was 'all smiles after Race 1' and shared proof of his happy pictures with the trophy on Instagram. Talking to Formula E about the race, Taylor Barnard said, 'Honestly, my main emotion is that I'm a bit confused! I was sitting at the back for a very long time; I was quite good on energy but I didn't understand how the race was playing out. The team did a great job with the strategy because I came out of the pit lane in sixth so I thought, 'now I can fight!', but I need to look at the race after to understand a little bit better what's actually happened. I was really struggling with energy on the last couple of laps so I did my best in the last few corners. I'm super happy to get another podium, another 15 points in the bag.' On Sunday, Barnard finished tenth in the second race of the Shanghai double-header but was glad he finished it safely as he raced on a wet track in the rain. He shared a bunch of pictures from Round 11 on Instagram and wrote, 'Very tricky conditions out there today… Happy to take a point and bring the car back in one piece. Thank you to all of the fans who braved the weather, your support doesn't go unnoticed! Also, a huge thank you for all of the birthday wishes received today. ' Also Read: Shanghai E-Prix 2025: DS celebrates double victory as Maximilian Gunther takes first, Jean-Eric Vergne second in Round 10, Taylor Barnard claims third Barnard is in fourth position in the 2025 Formula E Driver Standings with 86 points. He is just two points behind Antonio Felix Da Costa, who is in third position.
