MAYA WEUG Claims First F1 Academy Pole as ALBA LARSEN Shines in Shanghai

March 21, 2025

• MAYA WEUG delivered a masterclass in Shanghai qualifying, claiming her first F1 Academy pole position with a commanding 2:03.379 that left the field four tenths in her wake. The Dutch driver, now racing for MP Motorsport after switching from Prema, carried serious momentum from her breakthrough win at the 2024 Abu Dhabi finale straight into her title campaign. While DORIANE PIN managed to secure second place despite a late lock-up at Turn 14, Weug’s dominance was never seriously threatened in the closing stages.
• Rookie ALBA LARSEN served notice that the newcomers aren’t here to make up numbers, posting an impressive third place that puts her right in the mix with the established front-runners. The Danish driver’s 2:04.006 lap time slotted her onto the second row alongside CHLOE CHAMBERS, proving that talent rises quickly when given the right opportunity. Fellow rookie JOANNE CICONTE also turned heads by securing fifth place in what can only be described as one of the most impressive debut qualifying performances of the session.
• The session wasn’t without drama, as LIA BLOCK was forced to sit out qualifying entirely after chassis damage from a heavy practice crash, while RAFAELA FERREIRA received a three-place grid penalty for causing the incident. NINA GADEMAN capitalized on finishing eighth to claim reverse-grid pole for Saturday’s Race 1, setting up what promises to be an intriguing battle as the field navigates the return of the reverse-grid format for the first time since the series’ inaugural 2023 season.

all-female f1 academy, mp motorsport, qualifying, shanghai international circuit