Maximilian Günther Joins Andretti for Formula E 2024/25 Season
Exciting news has emerged in the world of motorsport as Formula 2 race winner Zane Maloney gears up to make his Formula E debut later this year. The talented 20-year-old has officially joined the Abt Formula E team in preparation for the upcoming 2024/25 season. Maloney’s maiden race in the all-electric championship is set for the Sao Paulo E-Prix on December 7, following pre-season testing in Valencia from November 4-7.
Maloney, who hails from Barbados, marks a significant milestone as the first driver from his country to compete in Formula E. His journey to the electric racing series began as Andretti’s test and reserve driver over the past two seasons. During his time with Andretti, Maloney participated in various rookie test sessions in cities like Berlin, Rome, and Misano. He had the opportunity to test the new Gen3 Evo machine and the first powertrain developed through the collaboration between Lola and Yamaha.
In an interview with Motorsport.com, Maloney expressed his enthusiasm for the new challenge ahead, stating, “I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to join Abt, Lola, and Yamaha in this new journey for them. It’s a big step in my career to be part of such an amazing group of people. There are no expectations on where we’re going to be right now, just focusing on improving every day.”
Currently sitting third in the F2 standings after clinching victories at the opening Bahrain event for Rodin Motorsport, Maloney will unfortunately miss the final two rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi due to his commitments in Formula E.
A New Chapter for Abt Formula E Team
With Maloney’s arrival at Abt, he replaces Nico Muller, who has transitioned to Andretti. The young driver will partner with Formula E veteran Lucas di Grassi for the upcoming season. Abt CEO Thomas Biermaier expressed his excitement about welcoming Maloney to the team, highlighting the organization’s longstanding tradition of nurturing young talent. Biermaier stated, “Giving young talent a chance and supporting them has been a strong tradition at ABT for many decades, and that’s why it was clear to us that we would also follow this path in Formula E.”
The 2024/25 season marks the beginning of a new era for Abt with the partnership between Abt, Lola, and Yamaha. Di Grassi shared his positive impressions of the team’s progress, stating that he was “very positively surprised” by the developments thus far. Maloney’s decision to join the project was fueled by the opportunity to work alongside prestigious brands at the inception of their collaborative journey.
In his own words, Maloney expressed his eagerness for the challenge, acknowledging the learning experience that lies ahead. He emphasized his readiness to contribute to the team’s development alongside seasoned engineers and his teammate, di Grassi. Despite uncertainties about the team’s performance in the upcoming season, Maloney remains optimistic and motivated to push towards the front of the grid.
Formula E 2024-25 Driver Line-Up
As the sole driver on the grid without a Formula E start to his name, Maloney’s entry into the championship adds to the anticipation surrounding the upcoming season. The ERT team is the only one yet to confirm its driver line-up, having featured Dan Ticktum and Sergio Sette Camara in the previous season.
The confirmed driver line-up for the 2024/25 Formula E season includes:
– Abt: Lucas di Grassi, Zane Maloney
– Andretti: Jake Dennis, Nico Muller
– DS Penske: Maximilian Guenther, Jean-Eric Vergne
– Envision: Sebastien Buemi, Robin Frijns
– ERT: TBC
– Jaguar: Nick Cassidy, Mitch Evans
– Mahindra: Edoardo Mortara, Nyck de Vries
– Maserati MSG: Jake Hughes, Stoffel Vandoorne
– McLaren: Sam Bird, Taylor Barnard
– Nissan: Norman Nato, Oliver Rowland
– Porsche: Antonio Felix da Costa, Pascal Wehrlein
The Formula E grid is shaping up to be a competitive field with established names and promising newcomers ready to battle it out on the track. With the season fast approaching, fans can look forward to thrilling races and intense competition in the world of electric racing.
