Zane Maloney, a 20-year-old Formula 2 standout from Barbados, will make his Formula E debut with Lola Yamaha ABT in the upcoming 2024-25 season. Maloney’s first race in the all-electric series will take place at the São Paulo E-Prix on Dec. 7, following pre-season testing in Valencia, Spain, from Nov. 4-7.
A Rising Star
Maloney’s path to Formula E has been impressive.
After winning the British Formula 4 Championship and finishing runner-up in Formula 3, he currently holds third place in the Formula 2 standings. His performances earned him roles as a reserve driver for both Sauber Formula 1 and Andretti in Formula E, where he participated in rookie test sessions over the last two seasons.
“I’m really looking forward to the challenge, it’s a great opportunity to join Abt, Lola and Yamaha in this new journey for them,” Maloney told Motorsport.com.
“A big step in my career to be employed under such an amazing group of people. No expectations on where we’re going to be right now, it’s pressure off and just trying to improve every day,” he added.
Maloney joins Formula E veteran Lucas di Grassi, who has the most race starts in the series’ history. The pairing brings together a mix of youth and experience for Lola Yamaha ABT’s debut season.
Zane Maloney: Youth and Experience
The team is enthusiastic about its new driver lineup, which combines Maloney’s fresh talent with di Grassi’s extensive experience. Till Bechtolsheimer, chairman of Lola Cars Ltd., emphasized the significance of the pairing.
“Zane is a hugely talented young driver with an abundance of speed and potential and, alongside Lucas, we have an ideal combination of youth and experience,” said Bechtolsheimer.
“He has demonstrated his abilities in a variety of junior categories and proven himself as a race winner, and we’re looking forward to seeing him get behind the wheel in testing, and then at round one in São Paulo.”
ABT CEO Thomas Biermaier added to this.
“Giving young talent a chance has been part of ABT’s tradition for decades, and Zane has already brought a breath of fresh air to the team,” he said.
This season will also mark the debut of the Lola and Yamaha partnership, which focuses on building a powertrain to compete in the increasingly competitive Formula E grid. For the upcoming season, the team has been built around a powertrain created by Lola in collaboration with Yamaha Motor Company. This marks the initial phase of Lola’s plan to regain its position as an industry leader, with a focus on electrification, hydrogen technology and sustainable fuels and materials.
The Road to São Paulo
Maloney has already begun testing with the team this week, including in Varano, Italy, and Spain. He acknowledged the learning curve of Formula E, where managing energy and strategy are key factors for success.
“We won’t know how good our package is until São Paulo. I am confident that I have the raw speed to be competitive, but experience is key in Formula E. So I will do everything I can to catch up here as quickly as possible,” Maloney said.
So far, he is the only rookie confirmed for the upcoming season of the all-electric series. Partnering with di Grassi, a former FE champion, offers him the opportunity to learn from one of the sport’s best.
The 2024-25 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship season kicks off Dec. 7 in São Paulo.
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