AIX Racing changes driver for Monza and Baku
AIX Racing announces the replacement of Taylor Barnard by Niels Koolen for the Formula 2 races at Monza and Baku. Taylor Barnard, who leaves F2 to join McLaren in Formula E, finishes his F2 career in 20th position.
New change for this weekend’s Formula 2 race. If Oliver Goethe is already joining to replace Franco Colapinto, who has been promoted to Williams, Niels Koolen is now also joining the grid. He will take the wheel for AIX Racing instead of Taylor Barnard.
Taylor Barnard’s departure from F2
Promotions seem to be in order this week. If Franco Colapinto and Oliver Goethe have already received a new spot in another discipline, it is now the turn of Taylor Barnard and Niels Koolen to say goodbye. The former, currently a driver for AIX Racing, is leaving after 10 weekends as a rookie. While he currently holds the 20th place in the drivers’ standings, he still managed to secure victory in Monaco.
From now on, Taylor Barnard will be racing in Formula E, where he has already taken the wheel three times for McLaren, whom he will now join full-time. Even though he will remain a member of the AIX Academy after his departure, he still wanted to speak up to express his mixed feelings. Personally, I would like to say a big thank you to the PHM/AIX team for these last three years of my career. It has been an incredible adventure. I am sad to say goodbye to everyone, but I am eager to see what the future holds! Good luck for the rest of the season! he declared.
Taylor Barnard’s name has already been removed from the list of participants for this weekend’s race and next week’s at Monza and Baku. The name that will replace him is that of Niels Koolen, who will be making his very first Formula 2 race. At the moment, no one knows who will be driving in the last two races of the season, but the information should be officially shared in the following weeks.
A promotion out of its category
The arrival of Niels Koolen in Formula 2 is a surprise for this season’s grid. He, who did not compete in Formula 3 or 4 this year, still managed to secure himself a temporary seat in 2024. His last experience on the path to Formula 1 dates back to 2022 where he had completed three race weekends in Formula 4. During his short appearance, he placed 17th for his best performance. This year, the Dutch driver competes in Indy NXT where he managed to reach tenth place. He also took the wheel of an LPM2 for 3 races in the European Le Mans Series.
If the opportunity offered seems an unexpected choice for Formula 2 fans, Niels Koolen is enthusiastic about the prospect of being able to race for the team. “I am very happy to be able to participate in Formula 2 in Monza and Baku thanks to AIX Racing,” he declared. “A few years ago, I dreamt of joining Formula races, and I have been constantly training to prepare for this step. I want to thank all the people who supported me on this journey, and I am looking forward to competing in my first F2 race.”
In the past, Niels Koolen was also part of A14 Management, the academy of Fernando Alonso which helps young drivers to progress in motorsports. Last December, they finally stopped their collaboration. If he has not achieved success in the disciplines in which he is involved, he may be able to demonstrate his performance in Formula 2 this weekend.
