Ex-Red Bull junior joins Stake as reserve F1 driver

Zane Maloney is to join the Sauber Academy and become the reserve driver for the Stake Formula 1 team.

Barbadian Maloney was a part of the Red Bull junior programme but departed after a 10th-place finish in the 2023 Formula 2 season with Rodin Carlin, collecting a podium on his feature race debut in Bahrain.

The 19-year-old is to continue with that outfit in the coming F2 season, where he will dovetail duties with being reserve to race drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu.

Maloney will also share duties with reigning Formula 2 champion Theo Pourchaire.

In 2019, Maloney claimed the British Formula 4 championship at the first attempt with 10 wins from 30 races.

"I am honoured to join the Sauber Academy, and to take on the role of one of Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber’s Reserve Drivers," Maloney explained.

"The Sauber name resonates with Formula 1, 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 1 driver."

Sauber veteran Beat Zehnder, who is now Academy Director praised Maloney's "remarkable" rise through the junior ranks.

"We are delighted to welcome Zane as the latest addition to the Sauber Academy. 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," said Zehnder.

"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."