Sam Bird takes flight again in São Paulo: “This victory means so much to us! »

The final lap of the São Paulo E-Prix was as crazy as the carnival that took place in the city a few weeks earlier! And among the main actors of the show, how can we not mention the winner of the day, Sam Bird! The pilot McLaren went for victory in the last few meters of the race, the result of a sublime and daring overtake on his former teammate Mitch Evans on the outside of the penultimate corner!

THIS MOMENT. 🤯

This is one of the greatest overtakes in Formula E history and we will not be told otherwise. #SaoPauloEPrice@SamBirdOfficial 👏 pic.twitter.com/gFENTppncK

— Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) March 16, 2024

An overtaking which immediately entered the annals of the discipline, for one of the most experienced drivers in the Formula E (116 starts in 120 E-Prixes organized since 2014). At the finish, Sam Bird returned to his decisive maneuver on Mitch Evans' Jaguar. “I said on the radio, 'I think he's struggling,' but I was told to cool the car. Then I saw an opening and I said to myself: 'Okay, it's now or never'. I had to go there. He defended the inside and gave me just enough space on the outside for me to do something. I don't know how close I was to the wall, but it was a decent battle and we did it! »

The end of three years of famine for Sam Bird

If this success is the first obtained by the McLaren firm since its arrival in the discipline, in 2023, it represents above all a huge relief and a deliverance for Sam Bird. The Briton has not won in Formula E since the 2021 New York E-Prix. An eternity for the man who now has 12 victories in the 100% electric championship, one success behind record holder Lucas di Grassi.

“This victory means so much to us. At the start of the season, we set ourselves the goal of getting a few podiums, but I wasn't thinking about victory! », rejoiced Sam Bird, who joined McLaren after a difficult season with Jaguar last year.

“It’s an exceptional result for me and McLaren to achieve our first victory together. It's particularly special to do it here in Brazil, home of Ayrton Senna and Emerson Fittipaldi, who was on the podium, he added. This is a great reward for everyone who has worked tirelessly with the team from the very beginning – I joined McLaren for their second year and have already seen so much progress. I couldn't be more proud of every member of the team. »

ALSO READ > Sam Bird defeats Mitch Evans on the last lap to win the São Paulo E-Prix!