NINA GADEMAN Dominates F1 Academy Zandvoort Win on 22nd Birthday at Home

August 31, 2025

by RACERS // from www.racers-behindthehelmet.com

• NINA GADEMAN delivered the perfect 22nd birthday gift to herself with a flawless lights-to-flag victory at Zandvoort, claiming her first career single-seater win on home soil. The Dutch driver dominated from start to finish despite starting second due to reverse-grid qualifying, managing her lead expertly while the field battled behind her. This breakthrough performance came exactly one year after she nearly reached the podium as a wild card entry, showing how far she’s progressed in the championship.
• LIA BLOCK fought tooth and nail for her first-ever F1 Academy podium, defending second place masterfully on the final lap against a charging MAYA WEUG who had been the fastest driver once in clear air. Block’s podium breakthrough adds another milestone to her growing reputation, while WEUG’s late-race pace surge proved she’s a serious title contender despite starting from the fourth row. The Italian’s aggressive overtaking through the field showcased the racecraft that’s keeping her in championship hunt.
• Championship leader DORIANE PIN had a frustrating day that could have been much worse, managing only sixth place after qualifying fifth due to traffic issues and then getting passed by multiple drivers during the race. However, she still maintains her 19-point lead over CHLOE CHAMBERS, who showed impressive recovery skills after being pushed wide on lap one and fighting back to fourth. ELLA LLOYD also delivered a solid fourth-place finish, holding off Chambers’ persistent attacks in a wheel-to-wheel battle that demonstrated both drivers’ defensive skills.
• The race featured typical F1 Academy drama with early incidents affecting several competitors, including local wild card ESMEE KOSTERMAN who had to start from the pit lane and Dutch driver ALBA LARSEN who climbed from 14th to ninth before wing damage forced a pit stop and penalty. With full points available for Sunday’s potentially wet Race 2, the championship fight remains wide open as WEUG closed to within 31 points of the lead, setting up another thriller in what’s shaping up to be one of the most competitive F1 Academy seasons yet.

all-female f1 academy, circuit zandvoort, fia single-seater, prema racing