As the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship prepares to descend on the streets of Monte Carlo for a historic first—a double-header at the Monaco E-Prix—all eyes will be on one of the sport’s youngest and arguably most intriguing talent: Zane Maloney.
The 21-year-old Bajan driver has had an eventful start to his debut season in Formula E with the Lola Yamaha ABT team. Transitioning from the high-speed world of Formula 2, where he was a genuine title contender, Maloney made headlines by opting to forgo a potential championship run in favour of a new chapter in all-electric racing. The decision raised eyebrows across the motorsport community, but it has since proven a calculated and mature step in a growing career marked by ambition and adaptability.
Now, as the Monaco E-Prix prepares for a double-header weekend for the first time in its history, Maloney is poised for one of his biggest challenges yet, and he knows the stakes are high.
The strategy at the Monaco E-Prix: “To maximise what we have as a package”
Speaking to Fastest Formula News ahead of the weekend, Maloney reflected on the unique demands that come with racing in Monaco, particularly over two consecutive days.
“Be as fast as possible and have a good strategy and good communication. I think Formula E is always a bit of a roll the dice to some extent, and Monaco even more. So, looking forward to, I think, from my side, just trying to qualify as well as I can on that one lap. And then in the race, it comes down to a bit of luck, a bit of strategy, communication.
“So, being on top of it with my engineer; being on top of all the radio calls, all the laps for pit boosts, when to take attack. I think once you’re on top of those things, then any good fortunes or bad fortunes is out of your control. So, just looking to maximise what we have as a package and see what we can do there.”
Maloney’s analytical approach to the unpredictable nature of Formula E is striking, especially for a driver still in his first season. His ability to quickly get to grips with the series’ nuances: energy management, strategy, and close-quarter racing; has earned praise from across the paddock.
A new twist: Pit boost and strategy shifts
Among the innovations introduced in Season 11 is the pit boost; a new element designed to shake up race strategy and deliver more entertainment for fans. While Lola Yamaha ABT has not yet fully exploited the pit boost due to penalties and early setbacks, Maloney is eager to experience the feature under competitive conditions.
“It’s been great. I think anything new to a championship that brings excitement for the fans and for us drivers and teams is a good thing, of course.
“And it has brought a lot of excitement, obviously something new to think about in a race, which is great. And Formula E continue to progress in that aspect, keep adding things that bring more to the fans and the drivers and the teams, because that’s obviously who the sport is for. So, I’ve enjoyed it so far.
“We had the penalty in Jeddah, so I didn’t actually, I wasn’t, me and Lucas weren’t in the pack to join the pit boost. So hopefully we’ll be higher up in the pack this time and can actually learn a lot from it.”
Rising to the occasion
Despite Lola Yamaha ABT still chasing their first points of the season, there have been clear signs of promise. Maloney’s qualifying pace in Mexico and moments of brilliance in São Paulo suggest that once the team unlocks the full potential of their package, results will come.
Monaco with its prestige, its tight barriers, and now the added complexity of a double-header could prove to be a pivotal moment not just for Maloney, but for the future of the Lola project in Formula E.
For the young Bajan, it is another chapter in a journey that is already redefining the traditional motorsport path. If anything, this weekend is less about pressure and more about possibility.
