Teenaged Formula 3 sensation Zane Maloney is the name on the lips of Barbadians after a successful weekend at the Monte Carlo Circuit.
Competing in the third round for the 2021 Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA), Maloney copped pole position in qualifying on Friday. He subsequently converted his coveted grid position into a second-place finish in Saturday’s race, before finishing off Sunday’s race with a grand victory.
Barbadians waited up into the early hours of Sunday morning to watch the race’s conclusion, and they were not disappointed, as the sweet tones of Barbados’ national anthem filled the air of Monaco, after Maloney’s victory.
Still mesmerised by the outpouring of support and emotion from the thousands of home supporters, Maloney said he is enjoying the moment for now before switching focus to round four at Circuit Paul Ricard in south-eastern France.
“I had the best weekend of my life here in Monaco,” he said. “We started the second race in pole position and a light to flag victory is all we could have hoped for.
“The support from Barbados is crazy and I will try to make you proud. It was the best feeling ever to hear the national anthem on that stage.”
“We have a short turn around this time before we move on to Paul Ricard this weekend, so I’m going to enjoy today and tomorrow then it’s back to work this weekend.
“Thanks to everyone, my sponsors, my entire family and especially my team R-ace GP.”
Maloney revealed his comfort with the Paul Ricard track, having registered one of his fastest lap times there in the second round of the last year’s Euroformula Open Championship as a member of Carlin Motorsport.
He also placed second in Race 2 – one of his two podium finishes of last season.
This season’s FRECA will move next month to the Netherlands, after departing Paul Ricard.
The 10th and final round will be held at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza in northern Italy on October 30 and 31.
(NM)
