With the sixth and seventh rounds of ABB FIA Formula E World Championship set to kick off over the weekend, Formula E Zane Maloney returns to the familiar Monte Carlo circuit for a new challenge in the form of the 2025 Monaco E-Prix.
Though no stranger to success around the principality’s famed streets, the Barbadian racer, as he told Pit Debrief during Thursday’s media activities, expects to face a different set of demands. Despite this, he hopes for a strong performance in Monaco, as he chases his first points of the season.
Maloney eager to “hit the ground running” at 2025 Monaco E-Prix
Despite strong showings in Monaco across previous categories—victory in FRECA and a podium in Formula 2—Maloney expects the weekend’s Monaco E-Prix to be “a different beast”, noting the differences in opportunities for overtaking during the races.
“It is [a different beast],” he acknowledged, “I think that the only difference compared to what I’ve driven in is that you can overtake in the race. Because there’s a lot of energy savings.”
He explained in previous series, like Formula 2, the narrow streets of Monaco often meant that his qualifying position would determine the outcome of his race. This worked in his favour in 2023, when he finished Monte Carlo F2 Round Sprint and Feature Races P5 and P3, respectively, after starting from the third row. Unfortunately, this also worked against him in 2024, when he finished Feature Race P10, salvaging a point, after a poor Qualifying, which saw him start the race P14.
“I’m used to, after Qualifying, going to sleep knowing that that’s where I’m going to finish the race, whereas in Formula E, it’s a lot more complex when it comes to the actual race.”
Nevertheless, Maloney remains optimistic. While he acknowledges the unpredictability of the series, the return to a circuit he knows well brings a sense of comfort and confidence.
“I’m looking forward to it, obviously winning in FRECA and getting a podium in F2.”
“It’s a different beast in Formula E. It’s not really knowing what to expect. But the good thing is that it’s the first track this year that I actually know from the past. So, it’s the first track that I can go and hit the ground running in FP1 and try to build the weekend from there.”
Lola Yamaha hoping to have “a great result” in Monaco
This weekend marks Maloney’s sixth and seventh races in Formula E, following a highly successful 2024 Formula 2 campaign with Rodin Motorsport. Despite missing the season finale in Abu Dhabi, he still secured fourth in the Drivers’ Championship with 140 points.
In addition to his race experience, Maloney also brings valuable behind-the-scenes knowledge to Lola Yamaha ABT. He previously worked with Andretti as a test driver in the 2022–2023 season and then served as a reserve driver the following year. That exposure, along with his junior career, has helped him transition into his new role.
In response to a question from Pit Debrief, the Formula E rookie identified his experience with Andretti and the teams that he had raced with in his junior career as a key asset towards his development with his new team, Lola Yamaha ABT, and overall, as a driver.
“I think, as a driver in general, working with a lot of good teams is a good thing. You learn a lot as a driver. It’s a new package here with Lola Yamaha, so whatever experience I have from top teams that I’ve raced with in the past, I can bring over to them. And for me, now, it’s developing as a driver and as a team leader, let’s say.”
As he settles into Formula E and continues his development as a driver, Maloney looks to his teammate—Formula E veteran Lucas di Grassi—for inspiration, highlighting him as an example of leadership and experience.
“I mean, I have Lucas [di Grassi], who is very experienced, and he knows exactly how to lead a team. So, to watch on from him, and I’m just learning so much with this team, and we’re getting a lot stronger.”
Lola Yamaha hoping for “a great result” in Monaco
Reflecting on the team’s performance in Miami, Maloney praised di Grassi’s P2 finish. However, he described his own race as “a bit unlucky.” The Barbadian driver was classified P19, after he received a five-second time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage. Despite this, and despite his difficult start to the season, Maloney hopes for great results at the 2025 Monaco E-Prix.
“Obviously, Lucas had the podium last weekend, which was in Miami, which was amazing. On my side, a bit unlucky. So, we just need to have a great result here.”
Strong performances—like di Grassi’s podium in Miami—could mark a turning point in Lola Yamaha ABT’s season. The team currently sits ninth in the Teams’ Championship, with all 18 points coming from di Grassi’s recent result. For Maloney, who remains near the bottom of the Drivers’ standings, the Monaco E-Prix presents a crucial opportunity to kickstart his championship campaign.
