Sam Bird believes Formula E drivers are equal to those in F1

The Envision Virgin Racing ace is a stalwart of Formula E, having competed in every single race since the championship’s inception in 2014/15. Bird is one of just two drivers who have taken a victory in each season and believes that the level of talent currently competing in Formula E is a match for any series in the world. However, the Brit has also acknowledged that the all-electric championship is not yet a desired destination for young drivers due to a lack of prestige compared to F1. When asked about how Formula E will go about developing their own starlets such as F1 whizzkids Lando Norris, George Russell and Alexander Albon, Bird exclusively told Express Sport: “I think the thing you need for that is history.

“Formula E right now is creating its own history. When I grew up, I grew up looking at the likes of Ayrton Senna and F1 was an established sport. “Formula E is still growing. It doesn’t necessarily have that rich history that F1 does currently. “I think that [developing its own crop of drivers] is a very long-term goal – in 10 or 15 years’ time maybe there will be kind of Formula E heroes that young drivers aspire to be like, in their little pedal carts in the garden pretending to be Jean-Eric Vergne or Andre Lotterer or hopefully Sam Bird! But we don’t have that just yet.” Many of the current grid made their names in other motorsport series, while former champions Nelson Piquet Jnr, Sebastien Buemi, Lucas di Grassi and Jean-Eric Vergne all spent time in F1.

The Brit believes a lack of history is preventing young drivers from targeting Formula E

The start of Season Five saw three more ex-F1 stars make the transition to electric racing with Felipe Massa, Stoffel Vandoorne and Pascal Wehrlein joining the fray. All three have stood on the podium during their debut campaign but have also had their fair share of mishaps and mechanical problems, meaning none of the trio were involved in the title fight. “I think it shows how challenging the series is,” said Bird. “These guys are world class drivers – don’t get me wrong, but you’re just not going to be able to walk straight into this championship and win right away.

“It is not going to happen considering the calibre of driver that is within this championship and I think they’ve seen that. “I don’t think that they felt like they were going to walk in and win straight away. They’re not silly either. “It just goes to show how tough and how challenging this category is, and I think the level of drivers within this championship is as strong as any of the other top forms of motorsport around the world.” Formula E is enjoying a sustained period of success following the introduction of the Gen2 car and new regulations this season, with the championship gaining increased mainstream media coverage.

Formula E Season Five concludes with a double header in New York

Porsche and Mercedes are also set to join the fray as manufacturer entries in 2019/20, while Honda have also expressed an interest, unlike F1 which is struggling to attract investment. “It just shows Formula E’s growth,” said Bird. “The fact that all these big manufacturers have come in, and there’s rumours of one or two more huge names being interested - you don’t get that with any other series. That’s why this series is so unique, and so challenging, and has grown into something so big in such a short space of time. “[The introduction of Porsche and Mercedes] will certainly makes it difficult as a privateer team. It makes it very challenging, but who doesn’t love a good challenge?”

At the #NYCEPrix, the final @FIAFormulaE race without us takes place this weekend. We can‘t wait to set free this beauty and join the action for the 2019/20 season! ������ #drivenbyEQ #MercedesFE #FormulaESoonHasAMercedes pic.twitter.com/5Efua4xVO8 — Mercedes-Benz EQ Formula E Team (@MercedesEQFE) July 13, 2019