Taylor Barnard has completed the grid for the 2024 F2 season as he joins PHM AIX Racing.
Barnard spent last season racing in F3 for Jenzer where he finished tenth in the championship with three podium finishes in the final four races, including a win in the Belgian Feature Race.
The 19 year-old Brit also particpated in the Formula E pre-season testing where he finished seventh for McLaren in the rookie session, which led to his appointment as the team’s reserve driver for the season.
Barnard’s immediate priorities however will lie in F2 as he steps up to the second tier with PHM AIX Racing, where he will drive car number 25 and partner Joshua Durksen for the season.
Speaking upon confirmation of his F2 seat, Barnard commented: “I am delighted to announce I will be competing in FIA Formula 2 with PHM AIX Racing.
“It is another step up the ladder towards my dream and of course I wish to be more prepared, but I will do everything in my power and more to perform.”
PHM AIX Racing Sporting Director, Roland Rehfeld is “pleased and happy” to sign Barnard to complete their driver line-up, with the Norwich-born driver having been part of their academy for the last two seasons.
“Being the most successful PHM Academy Driver, it is the logical step to evaluate Taylor as best promising option to be as successful as possible.
“He deserves the chance and until now, he fulfilled our expectations through all classes with pure dedication, will, natural talent and speed and increasing technical precision.
“All these efforts brought up good results, meaning in the last three FIA F3 Rounds 2023 he was the most successful driver by points.”
On Barnard partnering Durksen, Rehfeld added: “Taylor is teaming up with Joshua Dürksen and they know each other very well. We, as a still young PHM AIX Racing team, are aware that we are facing the most competitive Grid below Formula 1.
“The Team is highly excited to have these two extremely motivated F2 Rookies in the field and I am expecting an increasing performance throughout the season and some positive surprising results.
“I can’t wait to start the Season with our promising Driver Line up.”
PHM AIX Racing founder, Paul Muller hailed Barnard as “… the best example of why I founded our academy. To have the opportunity to see him rise through the ranks of F4 and F3 purely based on skill, not on budget, is a privilege.
“Now I am excited to see him climb the final step towards his dream of F1 by joining our 2024 F2 campaign. He is racing for all those kids out there that couldn’t even dream of achieving this.”
Barnard is currently racing in FRMEC where he currently sits second in the standings with three wins – which coincidentally was his eventual finishing position in the 2023 FRMEC season.
The 19 year-old first graduated into single-seater racing in 2020 in Italian F4 before he switched to ADAC F4 in 2021, followed by a dual campaign in both categories in 2022 as he finished as vice-champion in the latter category that season.
Barnard will be one of three Brits racing in F2 this season as Oliver Bearman remains with PREMA, whilst Zak O’Sullivan joins ART GP for his rookie season.
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