F1 Academy qualifying round-up

The qualifying session at the Shanghai circuit delivered an unexpected show this Friday. While all eyes were on Doriane Pin, who was impressive during free practice, it was ultimately Maya Weug who shone by delivering a perfect lap to clinch her very first pole position.

Doriane Pin, who had shown an impressive pace during free practice, particularly by being the fastest in the first sector, seemed destined for pole position. However, Weug defied all expectations by delivering a perfect lap on her first attempt, setting the bar very high.

Pin did not give up and tried to improve her time several times. During her second attempt, she got within just 0.095 seconds of Weug, foreshadowing a fierce battle until the checkered flag.

After setting her initial time in free practice, Ella Lloyd repeated with a time of 2:06.143. Chloe Chambers was a tenth of a second ahead before her Campos Racing teammate, Alisha Palmowski, claimed the provisional pole with a 2:05.092.

While most of the competitors benefited from a short pit stop, Aurélia Nobels took advantage of the clearer track to improve her time and climb into the top eight. It was clear that time could still be gained, with Weug extending her lead on the fastest time by four-tenths, achieving a time of 2:03.379.

In a final effort, Doriane Pin gave her all in the first sector during her last flying lap, desperately attempting to dislodge Weug from pole position. Although she was virtually faster than Weug in the first sector, Pin failed to maintain this pace throughout the entire track. Indeed, the unflappable Dutch driver retained her lead and crossed the finish line with a 0.497-second advantage, thus sealing her first pole position.

« It’s incredible! I am so happy to have secured my first pole position. The team did a fantastic job providing me with a high-performing car, and I managed to put all the elements together for a perfect lap. », Weug said after the session.

Nina Gademan’s eighth place in qualifying will give her the advantage of starting in pole position for tomorrow’s race 1, in accordance with the reverse grid rule that places the top eight qualifiers in reverse order.

Rafaela Ferreira received a three-place grid penalty for the two races in Shanghai following a collision with Lia Block during free practice. A penalty that could have a significant impact on her performance and her chances of scoring points.

On the sidelines of these qualifications, the race management announced that Rafaela Ferreira, qualified in [insert her position], has received a three-place grid penalty for both races in Shanghai. This sanction, following a collision with Lia Block during free practice, jeopardizes her podium chances this weekend.

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Nina Gademan’s P8 in qualifying allowed her to secure the first place for tomorrow’s race on the inverted grid.

Rafaela Ferreira received a three-place grid penalty for both races in Shanghai, following a collision with Lia Block during free practice. A sanction that could significantly impact her performance and her chances of scoring points.

F1 Academy Qualification Standings – Shanghai

1. Maya Weug – Scuderia Ferrari operated by MP – 2:03.379
2. Doriane Pin – Mercedes operated by PREMA – +0.497
3. Alba Larsen – Hilfiger operated by MP – +0.627
4. Chloe Chambers – Red Bull Ford operated by CAMPOS – +0.704
5. Alisha Palmowski