Maloney turns the page on F2 career

The Boy From Barbados, Zane Maloney, will be in the thick of things this weekend, when Season 11 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship kicks off at the iconic Anhembi Sambadrome in São Paulo. The event marks Brazil’s debut as the Formula E season opener, and Maloney’s debut in Formula E, after hanging up his gloves in Formula 2.

“I’ve had an amazing two years with Rodin Motorsports,” said the 21-year-old rising star via his Facebook page. “They’ve done an amazing job,all the mechanics, engineers, the media, everyone’s been so welcoming. It feels like a family here for me.

“So I’m looking forward to the next journey in Formula E. I hope that a lot of you continue the journey and continue to follow me to Formula E. But thank you everyone for the support over the last two years. I’m now starting my professional career in racing, and I’m really looking forward to it. So thank you for the support, and see you guys soon.”

Whilst his former Formula 2 rivals battle it out in the final round on Saturday and Sunday, Maloney will be the only full debutant on the 2024-25 Formula E grid.

As announced in September, the Sauber F1 junior will drive for the Lola-Yamahapowered Abt team, alongside Formula E’s most experienced driver, Lucas di Grassi.

“It’s not really about performance for us right now – it’s about understanding where we need to improve and where are the biggest jumps that we can make from the very beginning,” said Maloney. “It’s a new manufacturer coming in, so it’s difficult to say how good or how bad it’s going.”

Maloney ended the F2 season in fourth position. He took points in the sprint and feature races last weekend in Qatar, despite starting at the back of the grid due to an issue with his machine in qualifying. He also ended the season with a win in Bahrain, and pole position in Monza, with which he proclaimed himself “happy.”

Now it’s on to the next for Maloney, starting this weekend. Known for its long straights, heavy braking zones and challenging mix of corners, the 11-turn, 2.93km São Paulo street circuit has a reputation for producing thrilling wheel-towheel action and plenty of overtakes.

The 2024 São Paulo E-Prix will be the third edition of the Formula E race in Brazil, which debuted in 2023 during Season 9. (TF)