F1 Academy returns this weekend with a new driver
F1. The F1 Academy resumes after the summer break with the fourth round at Zandvoort. The championship is tight, particularly among the constructors, with only a few dozen points separating the leading teams. RODIN Motorsport dominates, but the difficult conditions at Zandvoort could change all that. This weekend, Nina Gademan will be making her debut in the discipline.
The wait is coming to an end as the F1 Academy is getting ready to return to the Grand Prix after the summer break. For the occasion, the Zandvoort circuit hosts the fourth round of the season where test sessions had proved difficult earlier in the year. All eyes are on the potential winners of the world champion title.
The classification is still tight at the moment.
Chloe Chambers' victory in race 2 and Abbi Pulling's victory in race 1 had made a strong impression in Barcelona. While the Haas driver had secured her very first win in the discipline, it allowed her to reach third place tied with Doriane Pin. Even though the young women shared a podium, they are however 66 points behind the British driver Abbi Pulling, who is currently leading the championship. With 4 destinations still to go, the standings are far from being decided.
This week, the F1 Academy lineup is heading to Zandvoort and sharing the Formula 1 circuit. The season, now halfway through, has already seen 7 drivers on the podium. This gives everyone a chance at the title of winner. As the pack slowly heads to its next race, each team has tasted success at the start of the year. The constructor's championship is much closer on the other hand. While the lead has been taken in the driver's championship, on the team side, only 23 points separate the first and second place. And only 7 points of difference are found between the second line.
While no team can afford to miss a weekend, it is still RODIN Motorsport that is leading the way. With the two Brits on the grid in their team, they have already scored 176 points. The difficulty of the Zandvoort circuit and the unpredictable weather conditions this week could well play in favor of others.
A new arrival in the middle of the year
The F1 Academy, which has already used up half of its cards, is nevertheless welcoming a new driver for the Netherlands. This weekend will mark the arrival of Nina Gademan, a wildcard pilot, who will compete in a home race. Authorized to participate in this Grand Prix on an exceptional basis, she will be joined by The Female Quotient, which will provide a livery in glittery pink colors. The Dutch driver currently competes in the British Formula 4.
The Female Quotient signature rose gold is off to the races 🏎️
Nina Gademan will take the wheel of The FQ car as the Wild Card entry this weekend in Zandvoort at the Dutch Grand Prix. 🏁 Stay tuned!#F1Academy#DutchGP@f1academypic.twitter.com/thF5L5MqeP
— The Female Quotient (@femalequotient) August 21, 2024
If this is not the first time a female driver has been added to a Grand Prix, Nina Gademan seems to be one of the most anticipated. Highly appreciated by fans, she hopes to secure a 10th place in her first appearance. Beyond that, it is primarily an opportunity for the Dutchwoman to showcase what she is capable of in the F1 Academy. "I believe that entering as a [Joker] represents an excellent opportunity for us to demonstrate what we are capable of in a setting such as the F1 Academy," she said. "I would also like to express my sincere thanks to The Female Quotient for their support of the Wild Card initiative at Zandvoort. I will give my best to show my skills and make the most of this opportunity."
