SAM BIRD is leaner and meaner for the new season as he eyes his first Formula E world championship.
The Brit has taken a new approach to the season by losing weight and raising his intensity levels after a frustrating season last time out.
Sam Bird has taken a new approach to season sixCredit: Envision Virgin Racing
He told SunSport: “I have lost over four kilos since last season.
“So I have been pushing hard – I have been in the simulator more than ever, I have been in the factory more than ever.
“I felt like in myself I needed to up game so I tried to do that.
“First thing I want to do is win a race, as I have done that in every season so far – only me and Lucas Di Grassi have done that.”
During the off-season, Bird enjoyed a family holiday and ran the Bournemouth half marathon in 1hr38 minutes – before stepping up his training regime.
Virgin topped the time sheets on two of the three days at testing in Valencia, with Bird and his teammate Robin Frijns both going fastest.
And Bird cannot see a reason why Virgin will not be fighting at the front, as the customer team go up against the likes of Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Porsche.
The 32-year-old said: “We’re independent but we’re a very strong outfit, and there’s a reason why we’re always fighting at the front.
He added: “First thing I want to do is win a race, as I have done that in every season so far – only me and Lucas Di Grassi have done that.”
“We need to score points every race, that’s something we didn’t do last year.
“If we can score points every race then you can be there at the end of the year.”
Jean-Eric Vergne becomes first two-time Formula E champion to retain his crown in New York
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
