Revitalised by his switch to McLaren this season, the Briton was as delighted as he was relieved to take his first victory since 2021
STEFAN MACKLEY
FORMULA E
The seven weeks between the previous Formula E event in Diriyah and last weekend’s Sao Paulo E-Prix was a frustrating and unnecessary gap for drivers, teams and fans of the championship to endure. Yet that break paled in comparison to the wait that finally ended when the chequered flag flew in Brazil and Sam Bird at last returned to the top step of the podium for the first time since his victory in New York in July 2021.
Since that win, the Briton’s abilities and commitment to racing had come under severe scrutiny, and his three-year partnership with Jaguar ended last season following lacklustre results. He was offered a lifeline by McLaren for 2024, and the new partnership bore fruit at just the fourth time of asking, with victory in Brazil also signifying the British team’s first in the all-electric championship, which it only entered last season. Arguably more impressive than Bird’s return to winning ways was the manner in which his McLaren Nissan claimed victory, with a daring and risky last-lap pass around the outside that showed the Briton at his very best.
The 37-year-old started from a season-best fifth on the grid, arguably the perfect spot from which to implement a race-winning challenge as the infamous peloton style of racing – sitting behind in the slipstream to save energy – was expected to return. After holding position over the opening lap, Bird hit the front as early as lap four when those ahead took their first Attack Modes. It quickly became apparent that, unlike other races this season, the activations would not be done at the earliest opportunity by everyone.
Bird, however, did take both Attack Modes in quick succession – on lap five when he retained the lead, and again on lap seven when he dropped to fourth. The second activation in particular proved crucial – just moments later, the first of two safety-car periods was enacted to retrieve debris, notably Norman Nato’s front wing after contact with Lucas di Grassi at Turn 1, for which Andretti Porsche driver Nato was handed a five-second penalty.
Circulating at a slower pace allowed Bird to essentially use the extra six minutes of power at a reduced rate, while he was also the only driver from the leading group to have used both activations. It meant that by the time the safety car was deployed
