NEOM McLaren’s Taylor Barnard set the fastest lap time at the 2025 Miami E-Prix FP2, marking a significant moment in the lead-up to the Formula E qualifying session.
The Brit’s impressive performance which saw him clock a lap of 1:23.339 positions him as a strong contender for pole position and potentially the race win.
This achievement is particularly noteworthy given that Taylor Barnard is already the youngest-ever points-scorer, pole-sitter, and podium-finisher in Formula E history.
The 2025 Miami E-Prix FP2 session began under cooler conditions compared to the first practice, with drivers quickly adapting to the Homestead-Miami Speedway circuit.
The session was marked by a series of improvements in lap times as drivers became more familiar with the track. Initially, Zane Maloney set the first timed lap with a 1:33.439 but this was soon surpassed by other competitors.
Nick Cassidy, who had led the way in FP1, was among the first to set a representative time though his lap was marred by a small mistake at Turn 1. Andretti’s Jake Dennis then took over the lead before being overtaken by Porsche’s Pascal Wehrlein and eventually Taylor Barnard.
READ MORE FORMULA E:
Miami E-Prix qualifying: Norman Nato claims maiden Formula E pole
Miami E-Prix 2025: Nick Cassidy leads Antonio Felix da Costa in FP1
Barnard’s performance was highlighted by his use of the 350 kW power mode which allowed him to shave off precious seconds and secure the top spot. His time was just two-tenths off Cassidy’s best from FP1 demonstrating the rapid pace at which the drivers are improving.
The McLaren rookie’s strong showing has set the stage for an exciting qualifying session, where he will aim to translate his practice form into a pole position.
Behind Barnard, Antonio Felix da Costa of TAG Heuer Porsche secured the second-fastest time finishing 0.190 seconds off the pace. Da Costa’s performance is crucial for Porsche which is seeking to rebound from a challenging weekend in Jeddah.
Nyck de Vries of Mahindra Racing completed the top three with Mitch Evans of Jaguar TCS Team and Jake Dennis rounding out the top five.
The 2025 Miami E-Prix FP2 session was not without incident, however. A significant moment occurred when Nico Müller of Maserati MSG Racing crashed at Turn 10 causing a red flag.
Müller’s car suffered damage to the front wing and suspension forcing him to limp back to the garage for repairs. This interruption briefly halted proceedings but did not deter the drivers from pushing hard once the session resumed.
As the session progressed, several drivers made notable improvements. Barnard’s NEOM McLaren teammate Sam Bird moved up to second place at one point though he eventually fell back.
KIRO’s David Beckmann also showed strong pace narrowly missing out on a top-three spot.
Meanwhile, championship leader Oliver Rowland struggled with brake issues a problem that persisted from FP1. Despite these challenges, Rowland remains a formidable competitor and will be looking to overcome his difficulties in qualifying.
The final minutes of FP2 saw a flurry of activity as drivers made last-ditch efforts to improve their times. Da Costa and Dennis both made significant gains, while Nyck de Vries secured third place.
The session saw a late yellow flag after Jean-Eric Vergne spun at Turn 8, but this did not affect the overall standings.
Taylor Barnard’s performance in the 2025 Miami E-Prix FP2 has positioned him as a favorite for the qualifying session which is set to begin shortly. His ability to adapt quickly to the circuit and extract the maximum from his car will be crucial in securing a strong starting position.
With the qualifying session scheduled to start at 09:40 local time, all eyes will be on Barnard and his competitors as they battle for pole.
