Zane Maloney will be making the move to Formula E for the 2024/25 season with Lola Yamaha ABT.
The Barbadian driver subsequently becomes the second youngest driver in Formula E history behind Taylor Barnard who will be racing with McLaren next year. The 20-year-old will have Season Three champion Lucas di Grassi as his teammate, who has competed in every FE season since it started in 2014/15.
Maloney is currently in his second season in Formula 2 and is sat third in the standings with two rounds to go. However, he will not finish the season as he will miss the final round at Abu Dhabi due to his new commitments to FE.
The Barbadian has registered two wins and seven podiums this year, with both of his victories coming at the season opener in Bahrain. Maloney’s performances in Formula 2 impressed ABT before his test with the team, which eventually led to his signing.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Peter Windsor explained how it was ‘logical’ that Maloney chose FE as the next step in his career.
Formula E is a ‘good deal’ for Zane Maloney according to Peter Windsor
Unfortunately, like many other young talents, Maloney has been unable to break into the world of Formula 1.
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While the likes of Oliver Bearman and Andrea Kimi Antonelli will be given their chances, Maloney, who is part of the Sauber Academy, has been overlooked for a seat on the grid.
With limited options available, Windsor believes FE is a ‘good deal’ for Maloney to test his skills for next year.
“I’ve been very impressed with Zane’s driving this year and not only his pace but also his track graft and aggression and his general approach,” he said.
“And he was with Red Bull, then he’s with Sauber, he’s currently still with Sauber sort of. But there was nothing out there that was logical for him and he wants to get on with the racing, he wants to get on with his life and so he’s going to go to Formula E.
“Good luck to him, and it’s a pretty good deal too. It’s with the Lola Yamaha team and he’s alongside Lucas di Grassi who’s pretty good at Formula E, let alone everything else he’s ever done.
“So, it’s a big opportunity for Zane, but it’s a big thing for a young kid to have to do that, having done everything he could to prove how quick he is. And he’s done it from Barbados, which is not the most normal of regions in which to become a Formula 1 world champion.”
Can Zane Maloney improve Lola Yamaha ABT’s fortunes?
Maloney will be hoping to improve the fortunes of ABT after their disappointing campaign in Season 10. The team finished ninth in the Teams’ Championship with nine points finishes all year, only getting both cars into the points at the final race in London.
Di Grassi endured his worst season in FE to date last year, registering just four points all year as he finished 23rd in the standings.
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His teammate Nico Muller who will join Andretti for Season 11 faired better, as he grabbed six points finishes, four of which coming at the final four races of the year, with a best finish of fourth at the second race in Misano.
With a new era coming to the series with the Gen3 Evo car, ABT will be hoping to score more points regularly with their exciting young driver.