A passion for racing: Getting to know the real Taylor Barnard

PHM AIX Racing rookie Taylor Barnard got the call to make the step up from Formula 3 to Formula 2 this season, and the Briton has already shown glimpses of the searing pace he had last year.

We sat down with Barnard to put some crucial questions to him so you can get to know him a little bit better. From homecooked comforts to a lifelong love of anything racing, Barnard is as driven as ever.

WHERE DO YOU CONSIDER HOME?

“It depends. I live in Norwich in the UK. I feel most at home in a race car. I’ve lived in Norwich my whole life, it’s ok. The weather isn’t great though!”

OUTSIDE OF MOTORSPORT, WHICH SPORTSPERSON DO YOU ADMIRE THE MOST?

“Kobe Bryant. The way he dedicated his whole life working towards his goals. I really admire people who dedicate not just a lot of time but their whole life to their one discipline.”

WHO DO YOU KNOW BEST ON THE GRID?

“Kimi. I’ve raced with him since karting, so I know him pretty well. F4, Regional, karting, the whole way here and again this year.”

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WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CHEAT MEAL?

“It’s not really a cheat meat but enchiladas. The day I get home after a long trip, they’re my go to. I make enchiladas. Homemade.”

IF YOU COULD RELIVE A MOMENT FROM YOUR CAREER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

“My win in Spa. It was crazy. I said straight away that we needed wet tyres. I had a podium the previous day, so we had nothing to lose. I just said go for it. No one in front of me went for wets so I was like ok the top teams and drivers are doing the opposite to me so I wasn’t sure if that was right. But we went for it anyway, and it was right.

“Over the radio I was getting some updates, but Christian Mansell was coming at me and I had to defend for the last five laps. They were probably the longest five laps of my life. I just had to defend at the end of the Kemmel Straight. As long as I covered off that corner, it was quite difficult for him to get past anywhere else. One or two laps of doing that and I was comfortable with how I should position the car. It was a long five laps, but it felt much better after that crossing the line.”

IF YOU WEREN’T A RACING DRIVER, WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR A JOB?

“I get this question a lot, but I really don’t have an answer. Ever since I was six or seven years old, I’ve put everything into motorsport, so I have no idea. I’d probably be a driver coach, engineer or mechanic. Definitely in motorsport though, that’s for sure.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE OR TV SERIES?

“Fast and Furious. Anything from that series. The first three are more raw emotion and about cars, which is better. The last few have been a bit futuristic for me but the ones about the cars are the best ones.”

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WHAT IS THE LAST SONG YOU LISTENED TO?

“I lost my Airpods so I haven’t listened to music for ages, I’m getting kind of sad about it now.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE RACING MEMORY?

“There’s been a couple. In the Middle East championship last year, I went from last to P3 in my first race. Monza again was very cool, overtaking for the podium on the final lap. I’ve had a few good races in karting too, but if you asked me what the best one was, it would be Spa.”

WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION?

“My helmet. Keeps me safe. I’ve kept the same design my dad gave to me when I was 10 and I’ve kept it the whole time.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE YOU’VE EVER BEEN TO AND ONE PLACE YOU HAVEN’T VISITED BUT WOULD LIKE TO?

“The favourite is Melbourne. I’m not one for nature or admiring things like that but it was the first time in my life I ever really admired the landscape and all the greenery, that was the first time I stopped and thought, ‘wow this is nice’. “One place I’d like to go – somewhere like the Maldives. That region is on the bucket list. Maybe as a reward at the end of the year.”