Sam Bird appeared on the karting scene in 2002, racing competitively in events across Europe, including the ICA Garda Cup and the Federation Cup.
Following his stint in karting, Bird won a scholarship to race in the inaugural season of Formula BMW with Carlin Motorsport. He ended the year with three wins and finished as one of the top rookie drivers.
Bird remained in Formula BMW for a second season and finished as eventual championship runner-up. His name also appeared on the shortlist for the McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award.
After a number of years progressing through Formula Renault and British F3, Bird held testing duties for Williams F1 focussing on straight-line aero development. He eventually joined forces with Mercedes for the Young Driver Test in Abu Dhabi.
Recently, Bird has competed in GP2 where he narrowly missed out on the championship with Russian Time, claiming five wins en route to second in the standings.
Career Highlights
2013 - Finished as runner-up in GP2 for Russian Time with 5 wins. Test and Reserve Driver for Mercedes AMG F1 Team.
2012 - Finished 3rd in the World Series by Renault. Test and Reserve Driver for Mercedes AMG F1 Team.
2011 - Continued in GP2 and GP2 Asia Series and became Test and Reserve Driver for Mercedes AMG F1 Team.
2010 - Moved up to GP2, taking a pole, a feature race win and 6 podiums in his rookie season to finish 5th overall. Took part in the Young Driver Test for Mercedes at Abu Dhabi.
2009 - Continued in Formula 3 Euro Series and carried on testing duties for Williams F1.
2008 - Joined Formula 3 Euro Series with Manor Motorsport. Qualified on the front row at Macau GP.
2007 - Progressed to British F3 International Series with Carlin. 4th overall and Best Rookie. Selected to join MSA Race Elite and joined Williams F1 for aero testing.
2006 - Moved to Formula Renault with Fortec Motorsport. Finished 4th overall and ended year as the top rookie.
2005 - Remained in Formula BMW with Fortec Motorsport. Finished runner-up in the standings with 6 wins and 12 podiums. Selected as a finalist for McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award.
2004 - Won scholarship from BMW to compete in the first season of Formula BMW UK with Carlin Motorsport. Finished 2nd in the rookie championship with 3 wins.
Early career - Started karting competitively in 2002 racing across Europe in the ICA Garda Cup and the Federation Cup.
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