New team, new car, new tracks: Nissan Formula E Team’s Zane Maloney looks ahead to Season 13

Young Barbadian speaks on the upcoming GEN4 era and much more

As the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship prepares to enter the GEN4 era, Zane Maloney faces a new challenge with Nissan Formula E Team and brings valuable experience to the task. The 23-year-old joins 2024/25 Drivers’ World Champion Oliver Rowland for Season 13, having already competed in Formula E and established himself as a race winner in junior categories, including Formula 2. With a new generation of car bringing fresh challenges and opportunities for the entire grid, Maloney shares his first impressions of GEN4, his approach to adapting to new machinery and his ambitions for the season ahead.

The new car

Season 13 is set to be the most unpredictable in years, with the introduction of the new car levelling the playing field and giving all teams competing the chance to make a fast start to the campaign. The fourth generation of Formula E machinery is by far the most advanced yet, and Nissan Formula E Team is currently working through an extensive testing program to maximize the potential of its new car.

“The GEN4 car is a big step up. With the active differential, permanent All-Wheel Drive, 600kW of power and more downforce than before, it’s really enjoyable to drive,” explained Maloney. “It’s an exciting moment for the series and we’re confident it will take Formula E to the next level. Nobody quite knows what to expect, but my first laps in the GEN4 car were great.

“We think we will still see peloton-style races, although overtaking may be more difficult due to being in All-Wheel Drive all the time. Whereas before, Attack Mode gave a huge advantage by utilizing All-Wheel Drive, we may see that reduced, but it will force teams to think outside the box on strategy. In the first race, everyone will be learning so that makes it extra important to be on the pace quickly and start the season with good results.”

Adapting to GEN4 and a new challenge

In addition to the changes of team and car, Maloney will also have to tackle tracks new to Formula E. However, the 23-year-old sees this as something to take advantage of, as his experience across different racing categories, including Formula E and Formula 2, gives him a valuable foundation as he prepares to adapt to the new machinery. He believes that the ability to adjust quickly to different cars, circuits and conditions will be particularly important in the opening races.

He adds: “I think as a driver, you’re always changing your style, even from race-to-race in the same car. One of the most important skills to have is to be adaptable to the car, circuit and conditions on any particular day. We’re already focused on what we can try in testing to know what tools we have at our disposal for when the time comes to go racing.

“We’re going to a lot of great circuits in Season 13, including some I have good memories at. I won my British F4 title at Brands Hatch and I took victory at Zandvoort in Formula 3, two tracks I really enjoy. COTA looks like an incredible circuit, with a fast and flowing Sector 1. Generally, we go to some really cool tracks in Formula E so I’m looking forward to it all.”

Early targets and working with Rowland

With the new season approaching, Maloney's immediate priority is to build a strong working relationship with the team and help develop the GEN4 car. Season 13 is set to feature 21 races, making it the longest campaign in the series' history, and a strong start could go a long way to securing a positive finish in all three championships. Maloney will also be able to draw on the experience of teammate and Season 11 World Champion Oliver Rowland, who is one of the most experienced drivers on the grid.

“My targets for the beginning of the year are to work well with the team and get to grips with everything before heading to the first race,” Maloney concluded. “On pure pace throughout my career I’ve always been there, it’s now about understanding what the team and I need from each other, which can be difficult in Formula E. The goal is to focus on getting our procedures right and then the results will come.

“Having Oli as my teammate is a big opportunity. To work with such an experienced driver and a recent champion will be amazing, I’ll try to learn as much as I can from him. It’s going well so far, he’s very straightforward when it comes to developing the car, which is great for me and the crew. He’s one of the top drivers on the grid and Nissan Formula E Team is one of the best teams, so I think we’ll make a strong combination and enjoy a successful season together.”