Sauber Motorsports announced Wednesday that Barbadian FIA Formula 2 driver Zane Maloney has been inducted into its driver development programme – Maloney will also share Reserve Driver duties for Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber with fellow Sauber Academy driver and reigning F2 Champion Théo Pourchaire.
Maloney, 20, born in Bridgetown, Barbados began his motorsports career at the early age of three and progressed through karting ranks in his homeland and the United States before heading to Europe in 2018.
Following further success in European-based Karting, Maloney made the jump to single-seaters in 2019, scoring 10 race wins en route to the British Formula 4 title.
From Britain, Maloney graduated to the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine and latterly FIA Formula 3 – finishing runner-up in his maiden year of F3 with Trident after scoring three race wins.
The former Red Bull Junior then progressed to F2 for 2023, embarking on a rookie campaign with Rodin Motorsports (formerly known as Rodin Carlin) whereupon he scored a podium in his first round and added an additional three rostrum finishes throughout the year to finish 10th in the standings and third rookie.
Continuing with Rodin in F2 for 2024, Maloney will now be supported by the Sauber Academy and will also support Stake F1 Team (Sauber) across numerous Grand Prix weekends as reserve driver – alongside 2023 F2 champion Pourchaire, who will campaign in the Japanese Super Formula series in 2024.
In addition to his F2 role with Rodin and Reserve role with Stake F1, Maloney was recently announced as a reserve for Andretti’s Formula E squad.
“We are delighted to welcome Zane as the latest addition to the Sauber Academy,” said Sauber Academy Director Beat Zehnder.
“His path through the junior series has been remarkable so far and, with his speed and potential, he surely makes a great addition to our talented roster.
“In addition to his Formula 2 campaign, where he will aim to succeed our own Théo Pourchaire to the title, Zane will also share with him the Reserve Driver role for Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber.
“On behalf of the whole team, I give him my warmest welcome onboard, and look forward to working together and achieving great success.”
Maloney added in saying that he’s “honoured to join the Sauber Academy, and to take on the role of one of Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber’s Reserve Drivers.
“The Sauber name resonates with Formula One, as it has been part of the sport for over thirty years, paving the way for so many drivers who went on to achieve great success.
“I am pleased to become part of this family, and I am looking forward to working together this season, as I move closer to my goal of becoming a Formula One driver.”
Maloney’s sophomore F2 season begins with testing in Bahrain on February 11-13, followed by Round 1 on February 29 – March 02.
