After completing the 2023 and 2024 Berlin rookie tests with Andretti, Zane Maloney returns to the Tempelhof Airport Street Circuit as a fully-fledged Formula E driver with Lola Yamaha ABT. The Berlin E-Prix will mark the penultimate weekend of Maloney’s rookie Formula E campaign, following his step up from Formula 2 ahead of the 2024–2025 season opener in São Paulo.
Despite high expectations, however, Maloney’s first year in Formula E has proven far from easy. Although he has displayed moments of promise, he has yet to score points. With only four rounds remaining before the curtain falls on his debut season, the Barbadian currently sits 21st in the Drivers’ Championship standings. This campaign now threatens to become his first ever without scoring points.
In an exclusive interview with Pit Debrief ahead of the 2025 Berlin E-Prix, Maloney reflected on the season to date, identifying key learnings and acknowledging the challenges he has faced throughout his rookie journey.
Shanghai a favourite, Tokyo a challenge
For Maloney, who ascended through the FIA Global Pathway from Karting to Formula One, the 2024–2025 Formula E season has offered a steep but valuable learning curve. Over the course of his rookie campaign, Maloney has competed on a wide variety of circuits and in differing conditions. While the final results have not met expectations, he remains convinced that these experiences have contributed positively to his development as a driver.
“Personally, I cannot even remember the first part of the season,” he said, chuckling, when asked which tracks felt most natural or challenging.
Nevertheless, Maloney did name the Shanghai International Circuit as the track that best suited his driving style. He explained that although he had not raced there in Formula 2 or Formula 3, the track’s characteristics closely resembled others at which he had previously competed. He delivered his best performance in Shanghai, starting from P11 and finishing in the same position—just 0.4 seconds short of his first points—despite challenging weather conditions and multiple delays.
“The track that suited me most, of course, was probably Shanghai just because it is a normal, let us say, F1 circuit to some extent.”
Conversely, Maloney identified the Tokyo Street Circuit as the most difficult, citing the extreme and variable conditions that plagued that weekend. He finished P16 and P14 across the two races, grappling with mixed conditions throughout.
“Challenging track? Tokyo was very challenging, especially with the conditions that we had that weekend, going from wet to dry, and very wet. So that was tough.”
A year of learning and development
Despite the struggles—such as those encountered in Tokyo—Maloney described the season as a strong start in terms of learning and progression. He praised the team’s collective improvements and the gains made in car performance across the year.
“But I think, in general, it has been a good start to the year, in terms of learning, and from my side, developing. And then, obviously getting the car quicker as well as a team. We have made big steps forward, so I have enjoyed this season, my rookie season so far.”
Although he will officially retain rookie status until the season finale in London later this month, Maloney expressed that he no longer feels inexperienced. Having learned extensively over the course of the campaign, he now shifts his focus to Berlin and London in a final push to claim points.
“Obviously, I am a rookie until London Race 2 but I do not feel like a rookie. I feel like I have learned a lot already, and ready to start getting good results.”
“We’ve been on the edge” – Maloney on missed opportunities for points
Despite glimpses of potential throughout Season 11, Maloney has yet to capitalise on any race weekend to secure points. He firmly believes that the current standings do not accurately reflect the capabilities of either himself or the Lola Yamaha ABT team. Instead, he pointed to various incidents that have derailed promising performances. One such example was his drive-through penalty during the recent Jakarta E-Prix, which removed him from points contention.
“Yeah, if you look at the points table, then yes, of course, I think we should have a lot more than we do,” Maloney said when asked about external factors that may have impacted results. “There are many different circumstances where we have been on the edge. Even last weekend in Jakarta, we were on for a decent amount of points until the drive-through penalty for the overpower.”
Emphasising the strength of the team’s efforts throughout the year, Maloney maintained confidence that results would eventually arrive. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that the limited points on offer at this stage would not significantly alter the outcome of his debut campaign, with both he and his team out of contention for any championship title.
“We have been doing a good job, but that will all come in time. I am not going for a championship win this year, so a couple points here and there is going to make less of a difference than when we are actually fighting for something big.”
A greater respect for the details of Formula E
As the Berlin E-Prix marks the penultimate weekend of the 2024-2025 Formula E season, Pit Debrief asked Maloney to reflect on the most significant lesson he has taken from his rookie year. The Barbadian highlighted the underestimated complexity of Formula E. Although he had observed the intensity of the series during his time as a test and reserve driver with Andretti, he admitted that he only came to fully appreciate the intricacies once he was actively racing.
“When you are in another category looking on it formally, it looks tough. You know how good the drivers and teams are, but you do not quite respect the details to the same extent until you come into it. I think, even when I was doing the rookie stuff with Andretti, doing the rookie test and being a reserve driver, you see how tough it is, you see how much the driver has to work for a good lap in qualifying or in the race. But until you are actually in that position, you realise how close the margins actually are.”
Given the razor-thin margins that define success in Formula E, Maloney concluded that even making small gains can be an immense challenge. He regards this as the most valuable insight he has gained thus far.
“I think Formula E is the closest category in the world, for sure, in terms of qualifying session or during the race. So then it is very hard to make small differences, and that is what you learn. That is what you learn is very difficult in Formula E when you come in.”
Giusti and Barter join Berlin Rookie Test
While Maloney will use the Berlin E-Prix as another opportunity for growth, he will not be the only one seeking development that weekend. Unlike previous rounds, the Berlin event will conclude with the mandatory Formula E Rookie Test on Monday. All 11 teams are required to field two rookies for a six-hour test session.
Earlier this year, Lola Yamaha fielded Tatiana Calderón for the Rookie Free Practice session in Jeddah. However, this time the team will place Hugh Barter and Alessandro Giusti behind the wheel of the Gen3 Evo.
Barter, currently competing in the 2025 Ultimate Cup European Series where he has claimed seven victories from nine races, returns to Tempelhof after participating in the 2023 Berlin Rookie Test with Maserati MSG Racing. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Giusti will experience Formula E machinery for the first time. The MP Motorsport Formula 3 driver and Williams Driver Academy member will join Barter in the Lola Yamaha ABT garage.
Maloney confident that Giusti and Barter “will do a good job”
Having stood in their position just one year ago, Maloney understands the unique challenges rookies face when adapting to Formula E. In particular, he expects Giusti’s transition to be demanding, considering the stark differences between Formula E and Formula 3 machinery.
“Yeah, I have spoken to them,” Maloney confirmed. “I mean, it is difficult to jump into a Formula E car for the first time because it is so different to anything you have ever done. Yeah, it is so quiet, actually, in a different way. You hear the wind more than the engine. Yeah, it is tough.”
Nevertheless, Maloney offered words of encouragement and advice. He encouraged both drivers to embrace the opportunity, focus on gathering feedback, and contribute useful data to support the team’s development. Though the rookies are not likely to perform as well as seasoned drivers who have had the season to familiarise themselves with the car, Maloney believes that Giusti and Barter will do “a good job”.
“I think, firstly, they just need to enjoy it.”
He continued, “I think, obviously, do whatever they can to get up to speed and give feedback as quickly as possible. I think in the position that we are in, the more laps we get on any racetrack, the better it is. So that is two cars all day driving, which is perfect for us, and I am sure that they will do a good job.”
