Roehampton motorhead Sam Bird is back on his own doorstep this weekend when the Formula E championship returns to Battersea Park.

Bird, who races for DS Virgin Racking Formula E, was a winner in the championships inaugural visit to south London last year.

He took the podium, his second of the season, in front of thousands of fans, to finish fifth in the overall standings.

While this season has not managed to build on that success with one first place finish, Bird has promised speed fans will not be left disappointed.

Going into the Battersea Park meeting, the 29-year-old is in third, a mammoth 58 points behind Lucas Di Grassi (141 points) and Sebastien Buemi (140), with just two rounds to go.

He said: “Racing in London is great, but to race so close to home and in front of all the fans is something else.

“The fans can get so close to the action and the cars, and it will be a great day for motorsports fans and Londoners alike.

“I am really looking forward to the race, but in truth we are looking forward to next season already, when I hope to be able to eat into the leading pair.

“Our cars have different specs, and maybe we did not choose correctly when it came to setting up the car.”

Bird, who is 18 points ahead of Jerome D’Ambrosio in fourth, added: “But we still have to make sure I finish third in the driver standings, and third in the team standings, so there is a lot to race for.”

While motorsports fans can get up close to the action come race day, those budding drivers of tomorrow, including those who put in the hard graft in the smaller championships, can get a taste of the action – and Bird has some advice for them.

“If you want to race cars professionally, make sure you do not give up on your dream,” he said.

“Work hard, listen to the right advice and always look to improve.

“You need to look inwardly too, always asking yourself how you can do better.”

The FIA Formula E Championship takes place on July 2 and July 3.