Red Bull sign champion as a reserve driver

2019 British Formula 4 champion Zane Maloney has been signed by Red Bull to become a reverse Formula 1 driver.

Barbadian racer Maloney also joins the famed Red Bull young driver programme that the likes of Sebastian Vettel, Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo all graduated from.

The 19-year-old comPeted in FIA Formula 3 throughout the 2022 season, finishing as runner-up with three wins to Victor Martins by just five points after the Monza finale was halted with five laps to go after an accident.

He made an appearance in F2 with the Trident team in the recent Abu Dhabi finale, placing 15th in the sprint race and 16th in the feature ahead of a planned step up to the category in 2023.

He joins the likes of Juri Vips and Liam Lawson in the junior programme - the former only losing his contract as test and reserve driver following off-track comments on social media.

Ricciardo has returned to Red Bull for 2023 as the designated third driver meaning he will race if Verstappen or Sergio Perez are unable to do so through suspension or injury.