Formula E reserve drivers 2024: Zane Maloney at Andretti & Kush Maini at Mahindra confirmed

The Formula E teams Andretti and Mahindra have announced their replacement driver for the 2024 Formula E World Championship. Andretti has opted for Zane Maloney, who has already driven the team's car in Berlin, Rome and Valencia this year. Mahindra, on the other hand, has signed Kush Maini. It is the young Indian's first contact with Formula E.

Maloney impressed across the board at the official Formula E rookie test in Berlin: the Red Bull junior and reigning Formula 3 champion set the third-fastest time. Alongside his involvement in the electric series, he is also competing in Formula 2, where he is in tenth place in the overall standings before the final race weekend in 2023.

"Joining Andretti Formula E as an official reserve and development driver is an incredible opportunity," said Maloney. "I'm grateful for the confidence the team has shown in my abilities and I'm determined to support Jake and Norman as much as I can. The Andretti name has such a great history in motorsport that this is a very special moment in my career. I look forward to contributing to the team's continued success in season 10."

"We've had the pleasure of working closely with Zane and his dedication, talent and enthusiasm have really stood out to us," explains Andretti Team Principal Roger Griffiths. "He has proven himself not only in other racing series, but also on several occasions during the rookie sessions where he has demonstrated an excellent understanding of our Gen3 car. We are delighted to have Zane as our official reserve and development driver and look forward to working closely with him in the coming season."

The previous reserve driver, David Beckmann, who was also a reserve driver for Porsche in 2023, no longer seems to play a role at Andretti: The young German joined the US team as a reserve driver in 2021 and made his Formula E debut at the 2023 Jakarta E-Prix as a replacement for Andre Lotterer, where he did not fully convince.

Kush Maini: "A big thing for me"

Kush Maini joined the junior squad of the Alpine Formula 1 team a few weeks ago. The Indian, who is supported by former Formula 1 world champion Mika Häkkinen, is currently competing in Formula 2. He is eleventh in the overall standings, just behind Maloney but ahead of Jehan Daruvala. Daruvala was Mahindra's reserve driver last season, but joined Maserati MSG Racing as a regular driver for 2024

"His role will include simulator sessions, participation in selected E-Prix events in support of the team and potential opportunities to test the M10Electro race car," the Indian team announced in a statement.

"It is a great honour for me to join Mahindra Racing," says Maini. "As I am an Indian driver and the team is also Indian, it feels like a homecoming in many ways. A lot of my work will be centred on the simulator and I hope to be in the car for the rookie test. I'll just try to learn as much as I can because it requires a different driving style."

"I will work as much as possible in the simulator with the engineers to help both Edoardo and Nyck and to help the team progress on the track," Maini continued. "Mahindra is a big manufacturer, so it's a big deal for me to sign with them. Being an Indian brand, it's the cherry on the cake. I'm really looking forward to getting started."

"We are delighted to welcome Kush to Mahindra Racing as a reserve driver," says team principal Frederic Bertrand. "He has a great record in the junior formulas that speaks for itself and is a great talent to add to our driver line-up. His synergy with Edoardo, Nyck and Jordan (King) will play an important role in the team's continued performance improvement on track, and off the track he is a great ambassador for India in motorsport."

Mahindra has already signed two replacement drivers for the tenth Formula E season. A few weeks ago, the team announced the contract extension of Jordan King, who has been promoted from simulator to reserve driver. According to information from e-Formula.news, the racing series is also planning another rookie test in Berlin in 2024, which is scheduled to take place on 13 May. It is more than likely that Maloney and Maini will take part in this test.