ABT Lola announce surprise signing to complete Formula E line-up

ABT Lola has confirmed the signing of Formula 2 championship contender Zane Maloney who will partner Lucas di Grassi next season. 

Maloney joins the Kempten-based team ahead of its new era, following the arrival of historic British manufacturer Lola as its powertrain partner and Yamaha as a technical partner.

With Taylor Barnard completing three races for McLaren last season, Maloney will be the only rookie on the grid. 

The Sauber Academy and Stake F1 reserve driver is not new to Formula E as he has been Andretti's reserve driver for the past two seasons. He has also participated in multiple tests for the American outfit. 

Now, he will become a full-time driver in the all-electric series and is excited to partner with one of the championship's most experienced and successful drivers in Di Grassi.

“I am delighted to be part of the Lola Yamaha ABT team and looking forward to this exciting challenge,” Maloney said. 

“Although I already know the championship well, this is a completely new chapter for me, so working with such an experienced team, and alongside such a successful driver, is the perfect next step. 

"I’ve followed and admired Lucas’ battles over the past seasons, including when he became champion. 

"I’m sure that I will learn a lot from him and together we will push both ourselves and the development of the car forward.”

Maloney Gen3 EVO testing

The 20-year-old from Barbados has already tested Abt Lola's Gen3 EVO car in Varano, Italy. He will be in Spain with the team this week for further testing. 

Whilst ABT are veterans of FE, Maloney recognises that with it being Lola's first powertrain in the series the team must wait for the first round in São Paulo to see how strong it is. 

“We won’t know how good our package is until São Paulo," said Maloney. "I am confident that I have the raw speed to be competitive, but experience is key in Formula E, so I will do everything I can to catch up here as quickly as possible."

Maloney is an exceptional talent and is the first Barbadian to win a race in Formula 3 and F2. This season, he has been racing for Rodin Motorsport and started the year with back-to-back wins in Bahrain.

With the FE season-opener clashing with the F2 finale, Maloney will not complete the junior category's season. However, he forms an exciting partnership with di Grassi. 

ABT Lola has formed an interesting blend of experience and youth, as identified by Lola Cars Ltd's chairman, Till Bechtolsheimer.

“We’re delighted to welcome Zane to the team for the upcoming Formula E season, completing our driver pairing as one of the most exciting on next season’s grid,” said Bechtolsheimer. 

“Zane is a hugely talented young driver with an abundance of speed and potential and, alongside Lucas, we have an ideal combination of youth and experience. 

"Zane has demonstrated his abilities in a variety of junior categories and proven himself as a race winner, and we’re looking forward to seeing him get behind the wheel in testing, and then at round one in São Paulo."

It has not taken Maloney long to make an impact on ABT Lola, according to team principal Thomas Biermaier. 

"We are very much looking forward to having Zane as part of the team for Season 11, and he has already brought a breath of fresh air during our first days working together,” added Biermaier. 

“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."