Sam Bird facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sam Bird
Bird at the 2023 Berlin ePrix.
Nationality	British
Born	(1987-01-09) 9 January 1987 (age 38) Roehampton, Greater London, England
Formula E career
Debut season	2014–15
Current team	NEOM McLaren Formula E Team
Racing licence	FIA Platinum
Car no.	8
Former teams	Envision Virgin Racing, Jaguar TCS Racing
Starts	119
Championships	0
Wins	12
Podiums	27
Poles	6
Fastest laps	9
Best finish	3rd in 2017–18
Finished last season	13th (48 pts)
World Endurance Championship career
Debut season	2014
Current team	AF Corse
Car no.	71
Former teams	G-Drive Racing
Starts	37
Wins	8
Poles	13
Fastest laps	4
Best finish	1st in 2015
24 Hours of Le Mans career
Years	2014–
Teams	AF Corse, G-Drive Racing
Best finish	10 (2015)
Class wins	0
Previous series
2010–2011, 2013 2012 2009–10–2011 2008–09 2007, 2009 2006 2004–05	GP2 Series Formula Renault 3.5 Series GP2 Asia Series Formula 3 Euro Series British Formula 3 Formula Renault 2.0 UK Formula BMW
Awards
2013 2006	Pirelli Trophy for Tyre Management Autosport Club Driver/Year

Sam Jamie Bird (born January 9, 1987) is a professional British racing driver. He currently races for NEOM McLaren in Formula E. Sam won the LMP2 title in the 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship. He also finished second in the 2013 GP2 Series. Bird has won 12 races in Formula E. His best season result was third place in 2017–18.

Sam Bird's Early Racing Career

Starting in Formula BMW

Sam Bird began his racing journey in the Formula BMW series. In his first year, he finished 14th overall. He also came in second place in the rookie cup. The next year, 2005, he was the runner-up in the main championship. He also placed fourth in the Formula BMW world final race.

Moving to Formula Renault

In 2006, Sam joined the British Formula Renault series. He showed his talent by winning four races. He ended the championship in fourth place. This was a strong performance for him.

Racing in Formula Three

2007 Season

Sam Bird racing in the Formula 3 Euro Series (2009)

In 2007, Bird competed in the British Formula 3 Championship. He drove for Carlin Motorsport. He got sponsorship from BP, a big company. Sam was also chosen for the Motor Sports Association Race Elite Scheme. This program helps promising young drivers.

2008 and 2009 Seasons

Bird moved to Manor Motorsport for the Formula 3 Euro Series in 2008. It was a tough year, but he finished second twice. In 2009, he joined Mücke Motorsport. He earned his first pole position and fastest laps. He finished eighth in the championship that year.

Sam Bird's Journey to GP2

Sam Bird joined the ART Grand Prix team for the GP2 Asia Series. He finished seventh in the 2009–10 season. He even secured a second-place finish in the final race.

2010 GP2 Season

Bird raced in the 2010 GP2 Series with ART. He was often fast but had bad luck. Technical problems and crashes sometimes stopped him. However, he won his first race in the series at Monza. He also set three fastest laps.

Sam Bird during a race in the 2013 GP2 Series

2011 GP2 Season

In 2011, Bird moved to the iSport International team. He had a great start to the main series season. He was second in the championship standings. He ended the season in sixth place overall.

2013 GP2 Season

Bird joined the new Russian Time team in 2013. He had a very successful year. Sam won five races and finished second in the championship. His strong driving helped Russian Time win the constructors' championship.

Formula Renault 3.5 Series

Sam Bird with ISR Racing in 2012

Between his GP2 seasons, Bird raced in the 2012 Formula Renault 3.5 season. He won two races and had five other podium finishes. He was in a close fight for the title. He finished third in the championship, just 10 points behind the winner.

Testing for Formula One

On November 16, 2010, Sam Bird took part in a young drivers' test. He drove for Mercedes GP at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

Sam Bird's Formula E Adventures

Sam Bird (pictured at the 2018 Paris ePrix) raced for Virgin before joining Jaguar.

Racing for Virgin (2014–2020)

2014–15 Season

In the 2014–15 Formula E season, Bird started driving for Richard Branson's Virgin Racing. He finished third in the first race. He then won the second race in Putrajaya. He had some tough races but bounced back. In the final race in London, he finished second. After a penalty to another driver, Sam was given the win. This made him the first Formula E driver to win his home race. He finished fifth in the championship.

2015–16 Season

Sam had a second-place finish in Putrajaya. He then won the Buenos Aires race. He finished fourth in the championship that season.

2016–17 Season

Bird had a tough start but quickly improved. He finished second in Marrakesh. He then became the first driver to win two races in a row in New York City. He ended the season in fourth place.

2017–18 Season

Sam Bird driving the DS Virgin DSV-03 at the 2018 New York City ePrix.

Sam won the first race of the season in Hong Kong. This put him in the lead of the championship for the first time. He finished the season in third place overall.

2018–19 Season

Sam Bird at the 2019 Marrakesh ePrix

Bird got his first podium of the season in Marrakesh. He then won the Santiago ePrix. This made him the only Formula E driver to win a race in every season so far. He finished ninth in the championship.

2019–20 Season

Sam won the first race of the season in Diriyah. He had some crashes and tough races later on. During the COVID-19 pandemic break, he announced he would leave Virgin. He finished tenth in the standings.

Joining Jaguar Racing (2020–2023)

2020–21 Season

In 2020, Bird joined the Jaguar Racing team. He continued his winning streak by winning the second race in Diriyah. A second-place finish in Rome made him the championship leader for a short time. Despite some races where he did not finish, he still ended up sixth in the championship.

2021–22 Season

Sam struggled with being consistent this season. He did not get any wins or podiums. He had to miss the last two races due to a broken hand. He finished 13th in the championship.

2022–23 Season

Sam Bird at the 2023 Berlin ePrix

The 2023 season brought new cars and rules. Sam had a tough start with car problems. However, he earned podiums in Diriyah, São Paulo, Berlin, and Rome. He did not win a race this season. He finished eighth in the standings. After three seasons, Bird left Jaguar.

Moving to McLaren (2024–)

2023–24 Season

Sam Bird at the 2024 Tokyo ePrix

In August 2023, McLaren announced Sam Bird would join their team. He achieved McLaren's first-ever Formula E victory at the São Paulo ePrix. Later, he had a hand injury and missed a race.

2024–25 Season

Sam Bird will continue to race for McLaren in the 2024–25 season.

Endurance Racing

World Endurance Championship

Sam Bird racing in the 2018 6 Hours of Silverstone.

In 2014, Sam Bird raced for the Ferrari AF Corse team. He finished third in the GTE Amateur class at his home race in Britain. He also took pole position at the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans.

About Sam Bird

Sam Bird went to Charterhouse School and Millfield School. He loves football and supports Manchester United F.C..

Racing Record Summary

^† As Bird was a guest driver, he was ineligible for points.
^* Season still in progress.

Images for kids

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  Sam Bird at the 2023 Berlin ePrix.

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  Sam Bird driving in the Formula 3 Euro Series at the Hockenheimring (2009).

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  Sam Bird during the feature race at the Belgian round of the 2013 GP2 Series.

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  Sam Bird while at ISR Racing in 2012.

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  Sam Bird (pictured at the 2018 Paris ePrix) had spent six seasons in the Virgin team before moving to Jaguar for the 2020–21 season.

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  Sam Bird driving the DS Virgin DSV-03 at the 2018 New York City ePrix.

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  Sam Bird at the 2019 Marrakesh ePrix.

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  Sam Bird at the 2023 Berlin ePrix.

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  Sam Bird at the 2024 Tokyo ePrix.

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  Sam Bird racing in the 2018 6 Hours of Silverstone.

See also

In Spanish: Sam Bird para niños