When Formula E returns to London next July, Sam Bird will be the poster boy. 'They'll be small posters,' he said with a smile.
What a rise it has been for the diminutive 32-year-old. Spat out by Formula One six years ago having progressed to the role of Mercedes test driver, Bird found refuge in the electric series.
'There was a change of management at Mercedes in 2013,' said Bird. 'They wanted to bring in different drivers so I was never going to get a shot.
British driver Sam Bird celebrates winning the Santiago E-Prix in Chile back in January
The 32-year-old Virgin Racing driver has become something of a poster boy for the sport
'Formula E came at the perfect time. At the start of 2014 I had absolutely nothing. I was living in a one-bedroom flat in Hersham and couldn't afford my rent or my bills. I was going to become a personal trainer.
'One night my heating was shut off and I called my mum in tears, saying: 'It's over, can you help me out? I need to go back to school, I need to earn a living because I can't afford anything.'
'Then I had a meeting with Alex Tai (Virgin Racing team boss). He gave me the drive (for season one in 2014) and that gave me a lifeline. It gave me my livelihood back and people now write nice things about me.
'In Autosport last year I was ranked the 18th best driver in the world. I looked up the top 20 footballers in the world and 18th was Marcelo of Real Madrid. So I'm the Marcelo of motor sport, without the hair.'
Bird said that Formula E was a salvation for him having seen his Formula 1 dream fade away
Bird will be in Hong Kong this weekend as the Formula E series reaches its 50th race
Had things turned out differently, Bird might be playing football this weekend instead of racing in Hong Kong.
Before concentrating on motor sport, Bird had trials for Wimbledon as a youngster. Football remains a passion and, now living in Dorset, his stepson plays for Bournemouth's under 10s alongside Cherries manager Eddie Howe's son.
'I was playing football at a high level but stopped because I was trying to do that, my A-levels and go racing,' said Bird.
'I was so tired trying to do everything that
