Formula E 2023: British duo sparkle in new season as veteran and rookie head chasing pack

Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. But the Nuneaton-born Avalanche Andretti isn’t the only one fighting for podium places and points this season, with Jaguar’s Sam Bird taking third in round two and fourth a day later in the desert. I’ve been working hard on myself, too, to get myself in a better frame of mind this year and this is proof I can still do it.” While 36-year-old Bird has been around the scene more than a time or two, rookie Formula E driver Jake Hughes has quickly set about impressing after signing with McLaren, even claiming pole position in the most recent race and securing points in all three so far. “I’m super happy securing pole in my third race - I didn’t think we quite had what it took in the Duels and we managed to get P2 for race one and pole for Round 3,” Hughes said after the back-to-back race days in Diriyah. This is for them!” It remains very early days in terms of the championship, but with Bird fourth in the standings and Hughes just one place and one point behind him, there appears plenty of reason for optimism regarding British drivers in the series this year - even looking further down the grid than title hopeful Dennis.