Max Verstappen, a dominant force in both Formula 1 and sim racing, has often found himself facing McLaren competitors, not just on the physical racetrack but also in the virtual world. His dual success has raised eyebrows, particularly when he juggled online racing with real-world F1 commitments. One notable instance saw Verstappen race online until 3 a.m. before the Hungarian Grand Prix, sparking debate and leading to claims of a Red Bull-imposed sim ban—which Verstappen denied. Despite such controversies, his sim racing skills remain top-tier, having led his Redline team to victory at the virtual Nürburgring 24 Hours while also winning on-track at Imola.
Taylor Barnard, a rising star in Formula E with McLaren, has experienced his own share of drama in the virtual racing scene. Speaking to talkSPORT, the 21-year-old admitted to being banned from several online lobbies due to aggressive racing tactics. Alongside McLaren reserve driver Alex Dunne, Barnard echoed Verstappen’s belief that online competition mirrors real-world intensity. Although his actions occasionally crossed lines, Barnard insisted that their sim antics were nothing more than what one sees regularly in Formula E, where contact and wheel-to-wheel aggression are standard.
Barnard has also virtually raced Verstappen multiple times, sometimes by coincidence. He described these spontaneous battles as both competitive and educational, cherishing the rare opportunity to measure himself against a world-class driver. While they don’t interact much outside those lobbies, Barnard appreciates the experience of racing so closely with someone of Verstappen’s caliber. It’s through these moments that Barnard gauges his own development and ability to compete at the highest levels—even if only in the digital realm.
On the actual track, Barnard is proving himself just as impressively. Competing in Formula E this season, he’s earned five podium finishes, two pole positions, and one fastest lap, showing great adaptability after switching from F2. While some of his former peers stayed narrowly focused on Formula 1, Barnard embraced the electric racing series and found it to be a perfect fit. He noted that many F2 drivers were “closed-minded,” whereas Formula E gave him fresh opportunities—and success.
As McLaren prepares for its final Formula E race before shifting focus to the 2027 World Endurance Championship, Barnard aims to deliver a memorable parting gift. He hopes to secure second place in the championship standings, which would mark a major achievement in his rookie season. A race win at the London E-Prix would make it even more special—especially as his time with McLaren in this series comes to a close. The season finale, featuring live commentary on talkSPORT 2, could well be Barnard’s breakthrough moment.
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