Formula E driver says young talent is shut out by racing costs

Taylor Barnard, a 22-year-old British driver competing in the Formula E World Championship, has spoken candidly about the financial barriers that prevent talented young drivers from entering motorsport. In an interview with BBC Newsbeat, Barnard reflected on his own journey, which he described as getting into racing "by the skin of my teeth" due to the extreme costs of climbing the motorsport ladder. He emphasized that if he were trying to break into the sport today, he likely would not succeed because prices have become "so blown out of proportion." Barnard's path included rising through British and European karting, where his talent helped secure backing to progress through Formula 3 and Formula 2. However, the financial strain was immense. He recalled being raised in a "very normal, working family," and at one point his family had to re-mortgage their house to fund his racing career. "We really did put everything on the line for me to be able to make it," he said, adding that the financial impact still lingers: "I would be lying if we're still not stinging from when we did that."

Barnard's comments come as he prepares for the final race of the 2025-2026 Formula E season, which takes place this weekend at the London Excel. The event is a double-header, and nine drivers are still in contention for the championship title, with fellow Brit Jake Dennis currently leading the standings. Barnard will have the added motivation of racing in front of his family and friends at his home race. However, his future beyond this season is uncertain. DS Automobiles, the manufacturer behind his team, is set to leave the sport, and Penske has not yet confirmed its plans for the next generation of Formula E cars, known as Gen4. Despite this uncertainty, Barnard is focused on finishing the season on a high note.

Barnard's concerns about the financial barriers in motorsport are not new, but his perspective as a current driver highlights the ongoing issue. He believes that many talented young drivers, both male and female, are being excluded from the sport purely because of financial limitations. "There's definitely been people out there, younger guys or girls that have the talent and the skill to be able to make it, which just gets shut out by financial issues," he said. "And the way that it's going in the last few years, it's only getting worse." While there are various academies and driver development programmes run by professional teams, these are often highly competitive and do not fully solve the problem. Barnard's own experience of having to rely on family sacrifice and external backing underscores the precarious nature of a racing career for those without significant financial resources.

Looking ahead, Barnard is also excited about the future of Formula E. He noted that fans can expect intense racing this weekend, with drivers going "side-by-side [at] almost every corner" and likely "a few crashes." He also mentioned that the next generation of cars will be even faster, which promises to make the sport more thrilling. For now, Barnard's immediate focus is on the London races, but his broader message about the need for greater financial support in motorsport is likely to resonate with many in the racing community. His comments add to a growing conversation about diversity and accessibility in motorsport, where talent alone is often not enough to succeed.