Taylor Barnard: A Race In My Words

Taylor Barnard is getting adjusted to life as a Formula 2 driver with PHM AIX Racing this year, but there is always time to look back at his previous success that led him to this point.

The British driver picks out his favourite race so far in his career which actually occurred just a few months ago at the Spa Feature Race in Formula 3. It was his maiden victory in the Championship, and it is one he will remember for quite a while.

“It was a mixed conditions race and that meant mixed tyre choice. We ended up winning and it was definitely my highlight from last year. It was my first win, I had my first podium the previous day as well, so I was just on a high the whole weekend.

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“For sure with the split tyre choice everyone was a bit nervous about making that decision and no one was really sure which tyre was the best one. But honestly for me it was quite clear that it was wet.

“For everyone in front they chose slicks, I guess they underestimated how slowly the track was going to dry. My feeling was wets and the team agreed and said let's go for it and I guess the decision was correct.

“Being in the position of leading the race and having to defend from Christian Mansell for the last five laps and actually coming away with it was a bit surreal. The first couple of laps defending it was really tough to understand how quick the car behind was on the straights and where the most dangerous place that he could past me.

“The last few laps or so I had it under control, I knew where he was going to attack me the most and where I would be safe, so I could control the race from that point. The first couple of laps where he started attacking me it was the worst honestly.

“I wouldn't say we knew we had enough for the win. When it's mixed conditions for sure you never know what's going to happen, especially at Spa, it's always going to be a mixed race.

"Having the pace to win - I'm not sure I would have said that when I was on the grid but then again, the mixed tyre choice as well, some people on wets, some people on slicks, it was always going to be a messy race and I think we did the best with what we had.

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“The win was special because it's on the F1 stage, it was a hectic race coming from 10th on the grid. It's always the ones where you make up quite a few positions to win the race, it's always better. My first win on the F1 stage, it's always going to be special.

“I would say I am still the same person, same approach, same mentality, I knew I had it in me to win a race, but never had everything come together to actually get the opportunity to win.

"So then when I finally got the opportunity to not only perform in the moment but to get the win, it's always a sense of calmness that you finally have achieved it, so you know you are capable of doing it. You think you can do it but there is another thing of actually doing it, so actually having done and got the result it was nice.”