Barbadian Racer Zane Maloney Making Waves in the World of Motorsport | Damian Hall/The Voice Online

by Damian Hall/The Voice Online

The world of motorsport has long been dominated by drivers from the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy. But now, a new star from an unexpected corner of the globe is looking to bring more heat to Formula 1.

Zane Maloney, the first Barbadian ever to compete in Formula 2, is not just racing for personal glory, but carrying the hopes and dreams of a small nation.

Driving for Rodin Motorsport, the 21-year-old’s journey is a testament to determination, bravery, and the relentless pursuit of passion.

Sport has always played a major role in Maloney’s life. Though he was “good” in school, he knew in the end, it “was all sports for me.”

“I used to play cricket and football all the time at St Michael’s [Secondary School] in Barbados,” he told reporters. “I was the captain in football and vice captain in cricket. Anything to do with sports I feel I have a good feeling with it. If I wasn’t racing I would probably be doing UFC, I wouldn’t live as long, but I would probably have a good time.”

He does, however, seem to have longevity where motorsports is concerned though. The F2 Championship is a fiercely competitive arena and the final step before entering Formula 1. The cars in this series do not benefit from the advanced performance or handling technologies of F1 machines. Unlike F1, the teams are given identical cars. This means the drivers’ talents shine through even more.

Maloney’s talent shines brightly. He has been battle-tested and proven worthy, racing his way through the ranks, earning the 2019 British F4 Championship as a rookie and finishing runner-up in the 2022 FIA Formula 3 Championship, missing out by the narrowest of margins.

Now competing in F2 for his second season with Rodin Motorsport as a Sauber Academy driver, he has the added responsibility of being a reserve driver for Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber. The Barbadian kicked off the season in impressive form, claiming two wins in Sakhir.

In a sport where national representation is often limited to industry giants, his presence on the F2 grid is groundbreaking. Every time Maloney takes to the track, he creates history.

Talking about the support he receives back home, he jokes that the time difference (Barbados is currently five hours behind the UK) can prove tricky for fellow Barbadians to watch him in action in real time.

“Unfortunately they have to wake up at 3:00 a.m. each time, so maybe I’ll try to change the time difference for y’all,” he laughs.

On a serious note, he says, the support from his place of birth has been most welcome. Maloney is currently sponsored by Bushy Park Barbados, Rock Hard Cement, MJet FBO, and Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), which designed his helmet.