Still in the hunt: Zane Maloney on his 2024 season so far

24 September 2024

Third in the Drivers’ Championship for Zane Maloney represents a solid season for the Rodin Motorsport driver, but things could have been even better according to the man himself.

He started 2024 on the highest of notes, winning both races in Sakhir to kick off his second Formula 2 campaign, but then a rough patch followed. However, in Spa-Francorchamps and Monza he appeared back on top form and looks back on the year so far with a positive mentality.

“It started very well with Bahrain, the double win, after that it wasn’t really a difference in performance from the team or myself, it was more just not getting that end result. A few things I could have done better and the team also, but there were a lot of things that were outside of both of our control.

“In Jeddah, with the problem in Qualifying, we still recovered to get two decent results, but it could have been much better for sure.

“Australia was a very good round, another podium and towards the sharp end, but the real highlight after Bahrain was Silverstone with a double P2 finish, which was very good as well.

“I think in 2024, we’ve been very strong across every single round except for Red Bull Ring. That round we really struggled for pace. Other rounds were just a few things outside of our control stopped the result. We still have two rounds to go to make use of and try to fight for the title.”

Maloney is pleased with how his 2024 has gone and is aiming to recapture early-season form

2024 is Maloney’s second campaign in F2 and with Rodin. While he has been a contender in the title race this time around, he doesn’t believe there’s much of a difference in approach compared to his rookie season.

What is different though is the level of confidence he has in himself and the team along with a positive mentality he’s held throughout the campaign.

“Last year, even as a rookie, we were very, very strong in certain areas on certain weekends. I think the problem was that we weren’t consistent, either on the podium or at the back of the field. So that was where we really struggled and I think as a team and myself, I’ve improved on that.

“I don’t really think it was anything to do with my being a rookie in F2, it was more just a mindset thing from my side, I didn’t really clock or get it right last year. I’m much stronger this year and happy with the improvements we’ve made, but the raw pace is the same. It’s been the same my whole career, it definitely gives us confidence to be able to do it every weekend.

“I think the only thing I can do from my side is to do the best job I can. I know the car is fast, I know that the team are trying their best to get the car in the right window all the time. Sometimes that happens, sometimes it doesn’t, but I know that once I do a good job, I’ll be close to the front.

The Rodin driver says both the team and himself have made improvements from 2023

“I’m expecting to be fast. I know there are many, many factors at play in getting a race win or podium, then we’ll see after that, hopefully some more good results are on the way.”

After his positive start to 2024, the blip that followed took Maloney out of title contention, but he has rebounded in recently to close back in, now currently 33.5 points behind leader Gabriel Bortoleto with two rounds left.

Though the gap is sizeable, Maloney remains positive, mindful of the numerous swings in the Championship for several drivers in 2024. He also maintains confidence in himself and Rodin going to Lusail and Yas Marina later this year.

“We’ve never really lost momentum. We knew that things would come back to us if we continued to work hard and kept trying to improve. The raw pace is there, and results will come. So, it’s been great to get Pole in Monza and to be at the sharp end in the last three or four rounds in Qualifying.

“It gives us confidence and we’re at the stage now that, if we do a good job, we’ll be towards the front end. So, we just need to keep working on that and not really focus on the results in the sessions, and it will come to us.

“Looking back at the season, I know everyone has had their fair share of issues and problems, but looking at my season too, I know how much was left on the table in terms of points.

The Bajan driver is aiming to haul his way into the title hunt across the final two rounds

“We can’t really look back at that now, it’s cool to still be in the fight, a few more weekends like Monza will put us straight back in it. It was disappointing to not get the win there, but to get P2 and a lot of points, it was great.

“You can’t just focus on the result, because then the result won’t come. I’m just focused on being the fastest driver with the fastest car every single weekend and sometimes it doesn’t happen, we’re not all perfect, but if we can minimise mistakes and maximise performance, we’re still in the fight.”

Though the title remains a mathematical possibility, Maloney says he won’t be thinking about the points, reinforcing the need to focus on his performances rather than the results.

“I do think I’m performing at a very good level. Of course, there’s still a lot to improve on, so even though we were P1 in Practice in Monza, P1 in Qualifying and could have won the Feature Race, if it wasn’t for the Safety Car, there’s still a lot of work on my side.

“Obviously we have a lot of data to go through during a weekend, I’m sure the whole grid can say the same, and I know that I can be a better driver. I’m in a good place mentally, a good place on track as well with how I’m performing, so I’m just focused on the things that I can see on the data and hopefully that will bring more confidence.”